The Effect of Virtual Reality Glass During Labor Process on Labor Pain, Birth Perception and Anxiety
Condition: Birth, First
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of showing images of the fetus to the
      pregnant women with the virtual reality glass during labor process on labor pain, birth
      perception and anxiety level.

      Background: Virtual reality (VR) is an effective and inexpensive method that allows the
      creation of simulated scenarios in which it interacts with the virtual environment with
      multisensory stimuli.

      Methods: This is a randomized controlled experimental study. The study included 100 pregnant
      women of whom 50 in the intervention group and 50 in the control group. Ultrasound images of
      the fetus were recorded on the 28th week of pregnancy of the women in the intervention group.
      These images were shown to the women with the virtual reality glass during labor process.
      Routine procedures were carried out for the women in the control group. The Visual Analog
      Scale (VAS) was applied to both groups when cervical dilatation was 4 cm and 9 cm. The
      Women's Perception for the Scale of Supportive Care Given During Labor (POBS) and the
      Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were applied almost two hours after labor.

      Keywords: Virtual reality, labor, pain, anxiety.
    

Detailed description: 
      Performed on the pregnant women in the intervention group (Virtual Reality Glass Group-VRGG)
      Pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria and were in the 28th weeks of pregnancy were
      assigned in the intervention or control group according to the randomization chart when they
      came to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Polyclinic for pregnancy follow-up. Pregnant women in
      the intervention group were informed about the study, and their verbal and written consent
      was obtained. The third author and the Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist evaluated the
      presentation of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, umbilical artery doppler, fetal biometry
      (BPD, HC, AC, FL) and fetal respiration with the Voluson 730 PRO ultrasound device. In the
      remaining time, if the position of the baby is suitable, it was ensured that video images
      were recorded on the phone of the pregnant woman by looking at the baby's face with the help
      of a 3D / 4D probe. Although it might be performed in earlier and later weeks, such visual
      evaluations are made in the 27th-28th weeks since the visualization is better. The ultrasound
      session both for the evaluation of the fetus and for visual purposes took 15-20 minutes in
      total. These pregnant women were asked to bring their phone that the video was recorded with
      them to the labor. When the pregnant women got into labor, they were hospitalized by the
      third researcher. The follow-ups and labor were also performed by the third author. These
      two-dimensional images were converted into three-dimensional images through an application
      installed in the mother's phone and were shown to her with a VR Box 3 D virtual reality glass
      one after another. In cases where the program was not compatible with the mother's phone, it
      was watched on the researcher's phone. The total duration of image viewing was recorded.

      Practices performed on the pregnant women in the control group (Control Group-CG) Pregnant
      women who met the inclusion criteria and were in the 28th weeks of pregnancy were assigned to
      the control group according to the randomization chart. When the pregnant women got into
      labor, they were hospitalized by the third researcher. No practices other than the routine
      were applied on pregnant women in the control group. These routine practices are monitoring
      pregnant women's cervical dilation, contraction and fetal heart rate, providing freedom of
      action, restricting oral intake for labor duration. No oxytocin induction or any analgesic
      were applied on the pregnant women in both groups. The rooms where the pregnant women stayed
      were kept dim and calm. The pregnant women in the control group were monitored and delivered
      by the third author during the labor process. For not hampering the monitoring of pregnant
      women, only one pregnant woman was included in the study at the same time. The Visual Analog
      Scale (VAS) was applied to both groups when cervical dilatation was 4 cm and 9 cm. The
      Women's Perception for the Scale of Supportive Care Given During Labor (POBS) and the
      Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were applied almost two hours after labor (so that
      the mother had time to breastfeed the baby and the mother's vital signs were stabilized).
    

Intervention name(s): Virtual Reality
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Ultrasound images of the fetus in the 28th week of pregnancy of the women in the intervention group were recorded. These images were shown to the woman through virtual reality glasses during the labor. Routine practices in the hospital were made to the women in the control group. VAS (Visual Analog Scale) was applied to women in both groups when cervical dilatation was 4 and 9 cm. Approximately two hours after giving birth (to allow mothers to breastfeed their babies and to stabilize the mother's vital signs), the Women's Perception of Supportive Care at Birth Scale (POBS) and Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were administered.
Other intervention name(s): Ultrasonography (USG)
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: This is a randomized controlled experimental study. The study intervention group was carried out with a total of 100 pregnant women, 50 of whom were controls.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: birth; Virtual reality; anxiety; pain