Virtual reality tour for elective cesarean birth
Official title: Virtual Reality in Elective Caesarean Births Study (VREC)- A Feasibility Study for a Virtual-reality Based Tool to Improve Patient Reported Outcomes Following Elective Caesarean Section.
Run by Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust · NCT07130084 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a 360° virtual-reality tour to see if it lowers anxiety for women scheduled for an elective cesarean section.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bath) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 14, 2024 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2025 |
| Study ends | September 1, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | August 19, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07130084 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18 or older who have a decision for a category 4 elective LSCS by 38 weeks, have never had a previous cesarean, can consent, and have a smartphone or tablet with internet and an email address are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Women under 18, those with prior cesarean or a history of anxiety disorders, those with medical or obstetric needs requiring pre-planned HDU/NICU admission, those with contraindication to spinal anesthesia, or those unable to understand English or use the required device are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This single-center interventional study introduces a 360° virtual-reality educational film that walks patients through the day of an elective lower-segment cesarean from admission to the postnatal ward. Participants will view the VR content on their own smartphone or tablet before their procedure and clinical staff will follow an RCOG framework for patient involvement and safety monitoring. Outcomes collected around the perioperative period include maternal anxiety, pain perception, analgesic use, and any safety events related to the intervention. The project aims to establish the safety of using a known VR intervention in this novel obstetric setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the VR tour could reduce maternal anxiety around the operation and in turn lower pain perception, analgesic needs, and length of hospital stay.
How similar studies have gone: Virtual reality has reduced procedural anxiety in pediatric and some adult surgical settings, but its application specifically for elective cesarean delivery is novel and less well studied.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Have had the decision for elective LSCS by 38 weeks gestation. * Has never had an emergency or elective section previously * Have a procedure planned and performed as a category 4 LSCS (an elective LSCS booked at a time that suits both the woman and obstetric team) * Have use of an android or iOS operating system smartphone or tablet device. * Have access to the internet. * Have an active email address. * Have capacity to consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Patient \<18 years of age * Patient refusal * Patients who have had an emergency or elective LSCS previously. * Patients with a history of anxiety disorders * Patients with medical or obstetric co-morbidities requiring pre-determined admission to maternity HDU care * Congenital structural abnormalities requiring pre-determined admission to NICU * Patients where spinal anaesthesia is contra-indicated * Women who have English of an insufficient standard to comprehend the consent and assessment process * Prisoners
Where it's running
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Bath Birthing Centre, Royal United Hospital Bath Foundation Trust
Bath, United Kingdom Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.