Immersive virtual reality on childbirth experience for women: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) on patient satisfaction as a distractive tool and pain relief among laboring women. Methods This was a randomized, controlled clinical trial with 42 laboring women allocated to VR intervention and control groups. Among women in the VR group, patient satisfaction with the use of VR was assessed by a Virtual Reality Satisfaction Survey, measured by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and evaluated by questioning them about whether they would choose VR in future labor. As a primary outcome, patient satisfaction scores regarding the overall childbirth experience were compared between women in the two groups. A secondary outcome was pain assessed by a visual pain rating scale in the early and active phases of labor in women in both groups. Psychometric information was also collected from participants in each group using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Results We observed a high level of patient satisfaction with the use of immersive VR during labor. The VAS revealed a mean satisfaction score of 87.7 ± 12.9 out of a maximum of 100. Twenty out of 21 (95%) women in the VR group stated that they would like to use VR again in future labor. VR improved pain scores in early labor and contributed positively to the overall childbirth experience. The mean pain score pre-VR was 2.6 ± 1.2 compared to 2.0 ± 1.3 post-VR (p < 0.01). Anxiety and depression scores were similar in participants in the intervention and control groups (p = 0.103 and p = 0.13, respectively). Conclusion Immersive VR application during labor was associated with higher patient satisfaction based on our study findings. VR also improved participants’ pain scores in early labor before epidural administration. Immersive VR may find a place as an adjunct in labor and delivery units to improve lengthy labor experiences for women. Studies with larger groups of participants are needed to confirm these observations. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05032456

Virtual Reality Headset Simulating a Nature Environment to Improve Health Outcomes in Pregnant Women: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

“…In this study, it was found that all pregnant women in the intervention group with PBT stated satisfaction with watching videos with VR headset, and almost all wished to use VR again during their next pregnancies and recommend the VR application for other pregnant women. In previous studies performed with pregnant women, it was also detected that almost all participants enjoyed watching nature images with VR headset during childbirth, and the vast majority wished to use VR again in the next deliveries (Carus et al, 2022; Cowles et al, 2019; Frey et al, 2019). The findings in our study investigating pregnant women are compatible with those in previous studies investigating the satisfaction level of the VR application experienced by the women during delivery.…”

‘connEcted caesarean section’: creating a virtual link between MOthers and their infanTs to ImprOve maternal childbirth experieNce – study protocol for a PILOT trial (e-motion-pilot)

“…29 A further study revealed that using immersive VR during early labour not only improved patients' pain score but was also associated with a higher patient satisfaction with the overall childbirth experience. 35 A recent study described that the use of FaceTime to connect mothers and babies after childbirth may have a positive effect on mother-infant bonding but further research is needed assessing a wider range of outcomes. 36…”

“…Another study showed that projecting echographic images of the baby obtained during pregnancy to the mother in labour via a VR headset was associated with a significant decrease of pain and anxiety symptoms 29. A further study revealed that using immersive VR during early labour not only improved patients’ pain score but was also associated with a higher patient satisfaction with the overall childbirth experience 35. A recent study described that the use of FaceTime to connect mothers and babies after childbirth may have a positive effect on mother–infant bonding but further research is needed assessing a wider range of outcomes 36…”

Application of immersive virtual reality in the training of wheelchair boxers: evaluation of exercise intensity and users experience additional load– a pilot exploratory study

“…The pain-reducing effect of the immersive virtual environment is so significant that VR can be an effective therapeutic support in burn wound care [ 28 ] and during exercises to increase the range of motion in burned joints [ 29 ]. The specific properties of immersive virtual reality are also used to alleviate pain when undertaking various medical procedures in children and pediatric rehabilitation [ 30 ] and even in women during childbirth [ 31 ].…”