Virtual Reality Analgesia in Labor: The VRAIL Pilot Study

Virtual Reality Analgesia in Labor: The VRAIL Pilot Study

The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the feasibility of using immersive Virtual Reality (VR) during labor. We will also explore whether VR distraction is helpful for reducing subjective pain during labor, even if this pain is severe or excruciating. We predict that VR is feasible in this setting and that VR distraction will reduce acute pain and anxiety during labor.

This study used an over the counter consumer product to create a virtual reality experience so that we could assess whether there was a decrease in perception of pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Any woman giving birth for the first time at or after 32 weeks
• Low risk pregnancy without obstetric complications
• In first stage of labor for vaginal delivery
• Desires non-pharmacologic alternative for pain control

Exclusion Criteria:

• Younger than 18 or older than 45 years of age
• Presence of fetal or placental anomaly
• High risk pregnancy or anesthetic concerns (BMI>40, difficult airway, hemorrhage, nonreassuring FHR, malpresentation)
• Current use of pharmacologic analgesia including neuraxial anesthesia
• Not capable of answering study measures using numeric rating scale
• Any face/head/neck injuries that interfere with the use of Virtual Reality equipment
• Any form of contact precautions
• Severe hearing or vision deficits
• Susceptibility to motion sickness
• Seizure history
• History of psychiatric disorder, chronic pain, migraines, or addiction
• Delirium, psychosis, any form of developmental delay, or Organic Brain Disorder
• Requiring an interpreter for communication