The purpose of this study is to identify whether use of virtual reality devices can improve the pain management of women in labor and delivery. The investigators will perform a randomized controlled trial of patients in labor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
The purpose of this study is to identify whether use of virtual reality devices can improve the pain management of women in labor and delivery. The investigators hypothesize that use of virtual reality devices will result in a reduction in pain medication use, in epidural use, and prolong the duration of time prior to the patient receiving an epidural. The study will be conducted as two parallel randomized controlled trials: one for latent labor patients and one for patients in active labor (defined by whether they are \< 6 cm or \> 6 cm). Within each phase of labor, there will be 20 in the Virtual Reality arm and 20 in the Control arm for a total of 80 patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
For those patients randomized to VR, the study staff member will explain the use of the Samsung VR goggle set, and thereafter will allow the patient to use the device freely for up to 30 minutes. Intervals of 2-5 minutes is suggested for first-time use, and patients will be to allowed to discontinue it at any time as long as they are not experiencing any discomfort or side effects (dizziness, motion sickness, etc.). The study staff member will be present at all times, and will work with hospital staff as necessary to ensure the patient is receiving appropriate clinical care throughout the duration of the intervention.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
Reduction in Pain
Difference in pain scores pre-post intervention compared to control. The investigators will use the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain. The minimum pain is 1; the maximum is 10. Higher values represent more pain.
Time frame: 4 hours prior to intervention, immediately pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, 2, 4, 24 hours post-intervention
Number of Participants With a Need for Intravenous Pain Medication
IV pain medication during the intervention (yes/no)
Time frame: The total duration of the intervention (30 minutes)
Need for Epidural During the Intervention
Number of participants with need for an epidural during the intervention
Time frame: The total duration of the intervention (30 minutes)
Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory
The Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (CSEI) is a measure of how well a patient anticipates being able to perform certain tasks in labor such as relaxing their body, keeping calm, or not thinking about the pain. The investigators will ask to what extend they feel virtual reality would be able to influence their ability to do these things. A fifteen-question scale reflecting degree of control where 1 is least control and 5 is most control per item. Minimum score 15 reflecting least total control; maximum score 75 reflecting maximal control.
Time frame: 30 minutes
Number of Participants With a Need for Epidural During the Labor
Epidural use during labor (yes/no)
Time frame: The total duration of the patient's labor (average 24 hours)
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