DOI: 10.4103/jin.jin_77_26 ISSN: 2666-9854

Effect of virtual reality immersion in managing pain and anxiety among women undergoing episiotomy repair: A quasi-experimental study

Marwa Abdu Nasr Mohammed, Shadia Hamido Mohasb, Heba Mahmoud Mohammed Tolba
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Background:

As an emerging technology, virtual reality (VR) serves as an effective, nonpharmacological approach to mitigate maternal distress and physical pain during perineal tear or episiotomy repair.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the effect of VR on anxiety and pain scores among women undergoing episiotomy repair.

Materials and Methods:

A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Ain Shams University’s Maternity and Gynecological Hospital from June 2025 to May 2026. A purposive sample of 100 women divided to intervention group ( n = 50) and control group ( n = 50) was undergoing episiotomy and tear repair. In the intervention group, women received VR immersion, while the control group received routine standard care. Three tools were used for data collection: A structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect general characteristic; pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and anxiety was measured using the State-trait Anxiety Inventory as outcome indicators.

Results:

During repair, the intervention group demonstrated significantly lower mean anxiety (26.16 ± 7.07 vs. 73.52 ± 5.56, P < 0.001) and mean pain scores (2.28 ± 1.43 vs. 8.22 ± 1.25, P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Within the intervention group, baseline scores at the beginning of repair dropped significantly postintervention, with mean anxiety decreasing by 48.74 points (from 74.90 ± 6.33 to 26.16 ± 7.07, P < 0.001) and mean pain decreasing by 5.94 points (from 8.22 ± 1.40 to 2.28 ± 1.43, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

These findings support VR as an effective, safe, and user-friendly nonpharmacological method for reducing pain and anxiety during episiotomy repair.

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