Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38865321›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

'Giving birth on a beach': Women's experiences of using virtual reality in labour.

Lorna Massov, Brian Robinson, Edgar Rodriguez-Ramirez, Robyn Maude

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07518667 (The Effect of Binaural Rhythm-Supported Music and Virtual Reality Experience on Labor Pain and Hormones), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07518667 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

The Effect of Binaural Rhythm-Supported Music and Virtual Reality Experience on Labor Pain and Hormones

TypeinterventionalSponsorMedipol UniversityRan2026 to 2027Enrolled90ConditionsBirth, Hormones, Virtual Reality, MusicArmsVirtual reality experience, Binaural Beats-Supported Music Group
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Lorna MassovSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice, Victoria University Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-0137-2012
Brian RobinsonSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice, Victoria University Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
Edgar Rodriguez-RamirezSchool of Design, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Robyn MaudeSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice, Victoria University Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-0749-6542

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBirth is a normal physiological process, and many women want a natural birth. Women use a range of non-pharmacological pain relief methods to reduce labour pain intensity, to help manage labour pain and to induce relaxation. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women using Virtual Reality as a non-pharmacological method of pain relief in labour. Virtual Reality has been shown to be an effective distraction technique in other acute pain settings which also reduces anxiety.

methodsThis study conducted qualitative in-depth interviews postnatally with women who used Virtual Reality in labour. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.

resultsNineteen women used Virtual Reality in labour. Results from interviews with nineteen women in the postnatal period identified three main themes: impact of virtual reality on experience of labour, managing the pain of labour and challenges of using virtual reality in labour.

conclusionThis study identified that Virtual Reality was effective as a relaxation technique and helped in pain management by the use of self-efficacy techniques. Women in this study also identified preferred virtual environments specifically to use during labour and birth. This study provides a unique and original contribution to the field of Virtual Reality in labour and birth. It also identifies Virtual Reality as an acceptable and positive experience in the management of anxiety and labour pain.

Indexed as

Labor, ObstetricLabor PainVirtual RealityAdultAnxietyFemaleHumansPain ManagementParturitionPregnancyYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID38865321
PMCPMC11168694

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Registered trials

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