Using virtual reality to ease anxiety and pain during perineal repair after childbirth

Use Of Virtual Reality To Reduce Anxiety And Pain During Repair Of Perineal Laceration

Not applicable Interventional Ziv Hospital · NCT04693013

This study is testing if using virtual reality can help new moms feel less anxious and in less pain during the repair of tears or cuts after childbirth.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment84 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 45 Years
SexFemale
SponsorZiv Hospital Government
Locations1 site (Safed)
Trial IDNCT04693013 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in reducing anxiety and pain during the surgical repair of perineal lacerations and episiotomies in postpartum women. A total of 84 healthy women who have undergone spontaneous or instrumental vaginal births will be randomly assigned to either a VR group or a control group. The VR group will use a VR device during the procedure, while the control group will not. Anxiety levels will be assessed post-procedure using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and pain levels will be measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Vital signs and procedure duration will also be monitored.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are postpartum women who have had a spontaneous or instrumental vaginal delivery with a perineal tear or episiotomy.

Not a fit: Patients who have undergone cesarean delivery or have a 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce anxiety and pain for women undergoing perineal repair after childbirth.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results using virtual reality for pain and anxiety management in various medical procedures, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Post-partum vaginal delivery, spontaneous or instrumental
* Episiotomy or 1st or 2nd degree perineal tear
* informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cesarean delivery
* 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear
* no informed consent

Where this trial is running

Safed

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PerineumInjuryEpisiotomy WoundAnxiety
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.