Effect of Virtual Reality and Music Therapy on the Physiologic Parameters of Pregnant Women and Fetuses and on Anxiety Levels: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction Anxiety negatively affects pregnant women and their fetuses. It can cause misleading test readings in electronic fetal monitoring, affect the duration of the first stage of labor, and influence certain aspects related to childbirth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of virtual reality and music therapy on anxiety levels, maternal and fetal physiologic parameters, and labor and birth outcomes. Methods A total of 343 full‐term pregnant women participated in a randomized controlled trial and were divided into 3 parallel groups: music therapy intervention (n = 104), virtual reality intervention (n = 124), and control (n = 115). The interventions were delivered during a nonstress test in the third trimester and during labor. Data were collected from April 2017 to May 2018. Measures included the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, maternal blood pressure, maternal and fetal heart rates, and labor and birth outcomes. The study was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621001647820). Results Women in the music therapy and virtual reality groups had lower levels of anxiety after a nonstress test (P < .001), and the women were more likely to have a reactive nonstress test (P < .001) compared with the control group. After the nonstress test and intervention were complete, the music therapy and virtual reality groups had significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (P < .001), diastolic blood pressure (P < .001), and maternal heart rate (P = .003) compared with the control group. Furthermore, fetuses in the control group were more likely to experience nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings compared with the music therapy and virtual reality groups, respectively (P = .004). Discussion Our findings support the use of music and virtual reality during nonstress tests and labor as nonpharmacologic interventions to reduce anxiety, improve maternal and fetal physiologic parameters, and improve labor and birth outcomes. This research should be replicated in diverse perinatal settings.

Effects of relaxation interventions during pregnancy on maternal mental health, and pregnancy and newborn outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In addition, two trials reported the effects of antenatal relaxation on postnatal stress, anxiety and depression using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) [ 32 , 34 ], three trials reported symptoms of maternal anxiety during labour and 24 hours postnatal using the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) [ 54 , 55 , 61 ] and one trial reported anxiety using the pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire [ 62 ]. Six trials reported on Apgar score [ 33 , 51 , 55 – 57 , 60 ], three trials reported on gestational age (GA) [ 51 , 58 , 60 ], six trials reported on mode of delivery [ 33 , 50 – 52 , 55 , 58 ], and four trials reported on duration of labour [ 50 , 52 , 55 , 57 ].…”

Review article: Functional dyspepsia and pregnancy—Effects and management in a special population

“…Finally, virtual reality has been shown to be safe and possibly effective in treating FD via immersive audio‐visual experiences in one double‐blind RCT 214 . Virtual reality has already been trialled for other purposes during pregnancy such as alleviating anxiety and pain 215–217 . Thus far, there have been no reported adverse events.…”

“…for other purposes during pregnancy such as alleviating anxiety and pain. [215][216][217] Thus far, there have been no reported adverse events.…”

Music intervention in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Several studies have shown that music therapy may help reduce nausea and vomiting, reduce pain, and improve mood (Brungardt et al, 2021;Doro et al, 2017;Estrella-Juarez et al, 2022;Wakiguchi et al, 2021).…”

“…Several studies have shown that music therapy may help reduce nausea and vomiting, reduce pain, and improve mood (Brungardt et al, 2021; Doro et al, 2017; Estrella‐Juarez et al, 2022; Wakiguchi et al, 2021). However, few data are available regarding the potential effects of music intervention in children and adults undergoing HSCT.…”