'Giving birth on a beach': Women's experiences of using virtual reality in labour.

INTRODUCTION: Birth is a normal physiological process, and many women want a natural birth. Women use a range of non-pharmacological pain relief methods to reduce labour pain intensity, to help manage labour pain and to induce relaxation. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women using Virtual Reality as a non-pharmacological method of pain relief in labour. Virtual Reality has been shown to be an effective distraction technique in other acute pain settings which also reduces anxiety. METHODS: This study conducted qualitative in-depth interviews postnatally with women who used Virtual Reality in labour. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. RESULTS: Nineteen women used Virtual Reality in labour. Results from interviews with nineteen women in the postnatal period identified three main themes: impact of virtual reality on experience of labour, managing the pain of labour and challenges of using virtual reality in labour. CONCLUSION: This study identified that Virtual Reality was effective as a relaxation technique and helped in pain management by the use of self-efficacy techniques. Women in this study also identified preferred virtual environments specifically to use during labour and birth. This study provides a unique and original contribution to the field of Virtual Reality in labour and birth. It also identifies Virtual Reality as an acceptable and positive experience in the management of anxiety and labour pain.

Virtual reality is beneficial in decreasing pain in labouring women: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Women use a range of non-pharmacological pain relief methods to reduce labour pain intensity and to help manage labour pain. AIMS: The purpose of this intervention study was to determine whether virtual reality would have an effect on labour pain intensity. Virtual reality has been shown to be effective in reducing pain in other acute pain settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was an intervention study in labour in a cross-over within-subjects design (Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12618001776291P). Fourteen participants reported their pain and had their heart rate and blood pressure measured during active labour while using and not using virtual reality. RESULTS: There were significantly lower reported pain scores (6.14 compared to 7.61, P < 0.001) and maternal heart rate (79.86 beats per minute compared to 85.57, P = 0.033) and mean arterial pressure (88.78 mmHg compared to 92.61 mmHg, P = 0.022) were lower when using virtual reality compared to when not using virtual reality during active labour. CONCLUSION: This study makes an important contribution to the field of virtual reality in labour and birth. It is consistent with other recent findings of reduced pain in labour and links decreased pain scales to heart rate and blood pressure, the physiological markers of pain.

Motivators and barriers to using information and communication technology in everyday life following stroke: a qualitative and video observation study.

Purpose: Information and communication technology devices have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life and a primary means of communication. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of information and communication technology and to explore the barriers and motivators to its use following stroke.Materials and methods: This observational study used semi-structured individual interviews and video observation of information and communication technology device use with six people, four men, and two women age 60-82 years with upper limb disability following stroke. They were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Three themes were identified that relate to barriers: (i) Sensory and motor impairments; (ii) Limited vision and impaired speech; and (iii) Device-specific limitations. Six themes were identified as motivators: (i) Connect with others; (ii) Provide safety; (iii) Facilitate reintegration; (iv) Reinforce technology adoption; (v) Leisure activities; and (vi) Contribute to the rehabilitation process.Conclusion: All participants used some form of information and communication technology daily to promote safety, enable daily activities, and social interaction, and to a lesser extent engage in leisure and rehabilitation activities. Barriers to information and communication technology use were primarily related to stroke related impairments and device-specific requirements, which limited use, particularly of smartphones. These barriers should be addressed to facilitate the use of information and communication technology devices.Implications for rehabilitationThis research suggests that;People with stroke are highly motivated to use information and communication technology devices in daily activitiesStroke-specific and age-related impairments limit the use and functionality of information and communication technology devices for people with strokeInformation and communication technology devices do not appear to be promoted or used in the rehabilitation or as assistive technologies.