Virtual Reality as a Method to Cope With Labor Pain: What Do Women Want?
Van Leugenhaege, Luka Van; Van De Craen, Natacha; Maes, Katrien; Vanden Bergh, Leen; Timmerman, Kristof; Van Aken, Silvia; Mestdagh, Eveline; Kuipers, Yvonne J
This study aimed to determine what childbearing women want when using virtual reality as an intrapartum pain management method. Researchers performed a qualitative exploratory study using content analysis. Two focus groups were organized including pregnant women anticipating a vaginal birth and women who recently had given birth, no longer than 6 months ago. The focus groups included a 30-minute virtual reality demo. In total, 10 women participated. Five themes emerged: (1) “try, test and explore”: the need to receive information and to get acquainted with virtual reality during the antenatal period; (2) “variety and diversity in physical and digital options”: the preference for a variety in virtual content and view virtual reality as a complementary method to methods for intrapartum pain management; (3) “distraction versus focus”: virtual reality as a method to distract from pain, from the clinical context or to help them focus; (4) “comfort both physical and digital”: measures to ensure a comfortable physical and virtual experience; and (5) “birthing partner”: the potential need to include partners. This study is an essential step informing the development, implementation, and research of labor-specific virtual reality and informing antenatal healthcare providers when offering women virtual reality as intrapartum pain management.
Citation
Van Leugenhaege, L. V., Van De Craen, N., Maes, K., Vanden Bergh, L., Timmerman, K., Van Aken, S., Mestdagh, E., & Kuipers, Y. J. (2024). Virtual Reality as a Method to Cope With Labor Pain: What Do Women Want?. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 42(8), 574-582. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000001120
