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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Virtual reality on labor pain relief: A preliminary randomized controlled trial in Japan
1
Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kamakura- Kanagawa, Japan
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A659
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Labor pain is among the most significant challenges that women face during childbirth. Epidural analgesia, commonly used internationally, increased by 11% in Japan in 2023. However, considering the potential adverse effects, non-pharmacological alternatives such as immersive virtual reality (VR) are valuable options. Although international studies have demonstrated VR's effectiveness in reducing labor pain, similar research has not yet been conducted in Japan.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the efficacy of immersive virtual reality (VR) for sensory pain relief during labor.
METHODS:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a secondary hospital maternity ward in Japan between December 2024 and May 2025. Participants were randomized into VR intervention (watching nature videos via VR for 10–30 min during labor) or standard care control groups. Pain intensity was measured using Numeric Rating Scores (NRS) during the latent and active labor phases. Postpartum, VR experience and satisfaction were assessed. Ethical approval was granted by the Tokushukai Group Joint Ethics Committee (TGE02550-024) and the study was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (11000920).
RESULTS:
Of the 50 enrolled women, 39 completed the study (VR: 19; control: 20). Eleven withdrew, primarily because of the rapid labor progression inherent to the facility’s natural childbirth practice. No significant baseline differences were observed between groups. NRS scores during latent (VR: 6.57±2.0, control: 7.13±2.0, p=0.425) and active phases (VR: 8.38±1.4, control: 8.90±1.3, p=0.300) showed no statistical differences. However, 57.9% reported that VR effectively provided relaxation or distraction from pain and 78.9% expressed overall satisfaction with the VR experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
This first Japanese trial on VR for labor pain suggests that VR enhances relaxation and distraction, potentially facilitating childbirth, despite non-significant reductions in sensory pain scores. Further research integrating VR into midwifery practice is needed.
KEY MESSAGE:
VR holds promise in enhancing birth experiences through relaxation and distraction from pain. Poster session 2 (Group A)
Labor pain is among the most significant challenges that women face during childbirth. Epidural analgesia, commonly used internationally, increased by 11% in Japan in 2023. However, considering the potential adverse effects, non-pharmacological alternatives such as immersive virtual reality (VR) are valuable options. Although international studies have demonstrated VR's effectiveness in reducing labor pain, similar research has not yet been conducted in Japan.
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the efficacy of immersive virtual reality (VR) for sensory pain relief during labor.
METHODS:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a secondary hospital maternity ward in Japan between December 2024 and May 2025. Participants were randomized into VR intervention (watching nature videos via VR for 10–30 min during labor) or standard care control groups. Pain intensity was measured using Numeric Rating Scores (NRS) during the latent and active labor phases. Postpartum, VR experience and satisfaction were assessed. Ethical approval was granted by the Tokushukai Group Joint Ethics Committee (TGE02550-024) and the study was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (11000920).
RESULTS:
Of the 50 enrolled women, 39 completed the study (VR: 19; control: 20). Eleven withdrew, primarily because of the rapid labor progression inherent to the facility’s natural childbirth practice. No significant baseline differences were observed between groups. NRS scores during latent (VR: 6.57±2.0, control: 7.13±2.0, p=0.425) and active phases (VR: 8.38±1.4, control: 8.90±1.3, p=0.300) showed no statistical differences. However, 57.9% reported that VR effectively provided relaxation or distraction from pain and 78.9% expressed overall satisfaction with the VR experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
This first Japanese trial on VR for labor pain suggests that VR enhances relaxation and distraction, potentially facilitating childbirth, despite non-significant reductions in sensory pain scores. Further research integrating VR into midwifery practice is needed.
KEY MESSAGE:
VR holds promise in enhancing birth experiences through relaxation and distraction from pain. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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