Virtual reality training added to pelvic floor rehab improves muscle relaxation in postpartum myofascial pain

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of integrating virtual reality technology with conventional pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy versus conventional therapy alone in postpartum women with myofascial pelvic pain syndrome. METHODS: Fifty-seven postpartum women diagnosed with myofascial pelvic pain syndrome were recruited for this study between March 1, 2023, and December 29, 2023. All participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (n = 27) underwent virtual reality training combined with conventional pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy, while the control group (n = 30) received only conventional pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy. Both groups completed ten treatment sessions. Changes in pelvic floor muscle contraction function were assessed using pelvic floor surface electromyography. Musculoskeletal ultrasound was employed to measure muscle thickness and Young's modulus of the pelvic floor muscles. The Visual Analog Scale was used to evaluate the degree of pain experienced during palpation of the pelvic floor muscles. RESULTS: The experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in relaxation time during the fast muscle contraction stage of the pelvic floor muscle's Glazer S-EMG (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the Visual Analog Scale, pelvic floor muscle thickness, or Young's modulus of the pelvic floor muscle during resting and maximum contraction states (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The integration of virtual reality technology with conventional pelvic floor rehabilitation therapy has the potential to improve the relaxation capacity of fast-twitch muscle fibers within the pelvic floor muscles. However, it does not seem to offer any benefits in increasing pelvic floor muscle thickness or in alleviating myofascial pelvic pain. TRIAL REGISTRY: The registry and the registration number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (number ChiCTR2300069517).