The effect of virtual reality on fetal movement, fetal heart rate, maternal satisfaction, fatigue, and anxiety levels and vital signs of pregnant women during non-stress test: A randomized controlled trial

Health Care Women Int. 2023 Jun 22:1-17. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2023.2223159. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of virtual reality on fetal movement, fetal heart rate, maternal satisfaction, fatigue and anxiety levels.The data of this randomized control experimental design study were collected using the State Anxiety Inventory, the Visual Analogue for Fatigue and the Newcastle-Satisfaction-Nursing-Care-Scale. A total of 88 pregnant women were included in the study. While the pregnant women in the experimental group watched a nature video with virtual reality during the Non-Stress Test procedure, those in the control group underwent the routine Non-Stress Test. The anxiety scores, the maternal satisfaction scores significantly higher in the experimental group. The virtual reality application is effective in reducing fatigue. There was a significant difference only in the experimental group in terms of systolic blood pressure, pulse values, the number of fetal movements and accelerations. It is recommended to have pregnant women use virtual reality during the Non-Stress Test procedure.