Game based rehabilitation in treating coccydynia among multiparous postpartum women

Background and need for the study. Coccydynia is a condition that causes pain around the tailbone. Women are five times more likely than men to develop coccydynia. The condition most often occurs during or after childbirth and pregnancy, including in lactating mothers. This research aimed to treat coccydynia in multiparous women using a game-based rehabilitative program, followed by postnatal exercises and ergonomic advice. Methods. This study included 29 multiparous postpartum women aged 25 to 35 with a clinical diagnosis of coccydynia. Individual examinations were conducted, and demographic data were collected. The study procedure was explained, and informed consent was obtained prior to initiation. A 4-week rehabilitation program was implemented with four sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions. The sessions included gaming, pelvic rehabilitation, postnatal exercises, and ergonomic guidance. Outcome measures used to assess pain, mental health status, and pelvic floor muscle function were the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and electromyography (EMG). Results. The median subjective scores on the NPRS and EPDS were 7 and 14 before the intervention and decreased to 2 and 7 afterward, indicating significant improvements in pain and mental health. Relaxation tone of the pelvic floor muscles also improved, as assessed using EMG. Conclusion. Postpartum coccydynia requires targeted intervention and preventive strategies to address pain, mental health concerns, and muscle function. This study concludes that game-based rehabilitation improves pelvic floor muscle relaxation, pain, and moderate depressive symptoms in multiparous postpartum women.