Virtual Reality Compared to Nitrous Oxide for Labor Analgesia

Brendan Carvalho

Status: Completed

Conditions: Labor Pain

Treatments: Drug: Nitrous oxide; Device: Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Device

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04749043

59344

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine if non-invasive distracting devices (Virtual Reality headsets) are non-inferior to conventional therapy (nitrous oxide) for addressing maternal needs during labor who desire non-epidural pain relief.

Full description

The investigators will use a commercially available consumer-grade virtual reality (VR) device and nitrous oxide, a standard of care therapy for laboring women desiring non-epidural analgesic, to determine satisfaction with pain relief with each therapy.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Singleton pregnancy at >34 weeks
• Regular uterine contractions
• Pain > 2/10
• English speaking

Exclusion criteria

• BMI > 40
• Preeclampsia with severe features
• Use of IV analgesics during labor
• Diabetes requiring insulin therapy
• Claustrophobia
• History of epilepsy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Virtual Reality then Nitrous Oxide

Active Comparator group

Description:

30 minute exposure to virtual reality, 5 minute washout period, then 30 minute exposure to nitrous oxide

Treatment:

Drug: Nitrous oxide

Device: Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Device

Nitrous Oxide then Virtual Reality

Active Comparator group

Description:

30 minute exposure to nitrous oxide, 5 minute washout period, then 30 minute exposure to virtual reality

Treatment:

Drug: Nitrous oxide

Device: Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Device