Impact of a virtual reality-enhanced learning program for maternal positioning in midwifery students: an exploratory multicenter pre–post study

Back to news list

Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1771624...

Published: 2026-03-06T00:00:00Z

The study investigated the impact of the virtual reality (VR) educational program PROGRESSION on midwifery students' knowledge of maternal positioning and pelvic biomechanics. 57 students from three institutions in the Czech Republic, Germany and Portugal participated between March and July 2025. The intervention included a theoretical online module, a familiarization session, self-directed VR practice and clinical VR scenarios. The total knowledge score improved after the intervention, but the change was not statistically significant (p = 0.46); only the Czech group showed a significant increase (p = 0.02). Usability was rated above average with SUS scores of 68 ± 13 and VRSUQ scores of 64 ± 13, with no differences between countries. Students reported high engagement, better understanding of mother positioning, and strong educational value. Qualitative analysis identified themes of functionality, visual clarity and realism of VR and its educational value.