SynthesisBJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology2026
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Pain Relief in Procedures Related to Obstetrics and Gynaecology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Synthesis in BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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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.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Digital technology-assisted labor support in delivery rooms on maternal pain and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundImmersive virtual reality (VR) technology offers a non-invasive, non-pharmacological approach to reduce pain perception in patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional procedures.
objectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy of immersive VR technology in reducing pain perception during obstetric and gynaecological procedures. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases from inception to January 2025. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating VR interventions in women undergoing obstetric or gynaecological procedures. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We performed meta-analyses using random-effects models and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials. MAIN
results49 RCTs (5355 participants) were included. Due to clinical heterogeneity, data were analysed separately. VR resulted in a larger, consistent reduction in pain scores compared with standard care in labour (11 studies; SMD -0.93, 95% CI -1.25 to -0.60) compared to minor procedures (29 studies; SMD -0.64, 95% CI -0.97 to -0.32). VR also significantly reduced anxiety scores in both labour (8 studies; SMD -1.13, 95% CI -1.80 to -0.45) and minor procedures (17 studies; SMD -0.74, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.29). Our analysis was limited by high levels of heterogeneity and variability in procedural protocols.
conclusionImmersive VR technology appears effective for reducing pain and anxiety during obstetric and gynaecological procedures, particularly during childbirth, despite substantial statistical heterogeneity. Further research is needed to optimise implementation strategies and establish clinical practice guidelines.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.