APRIL 6, 2026
In an attempt to reduce labor pain and decrease the likelihood of adverse outcomes for both the mother and child, researchers found that a virtual reality platform ultimately did not achieve this goal (Pain Manag Nurs 2026 Mar 26. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2026.02.005).
“The study highlights the potential of virtual reality as a non-pharmacological and safe approach to pain management in obstetric contexts, emphasizing the need for technological advancements in the development of tailored
In an attempt to reduce labor pain and decrease the likelihood of adverse outcomes for both the mother and child, researchers found that a virtual reality platform ultimately did not achieve this goal (Pain Manag Nurs 2026 Mar 26. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2026.02.005).
“The study highlights the potential of virtual reality as a non-pharmacological and safe approach to pain management in obstetric contexts, emphasizing the need for technological advancements in the development of tailored resources for this target population,” the authors wrote.
Labor pain can trigger neuroendocrine, metabolic, and inflammatory responses that can adversely affect maternal–fetal well-being. However, pain management during pregnancy is difficult for both obstetricians and expected mothers because pharmacologic answers can pose risks to the mother, including hypotension, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, reduced mobility, and, in rare cases, respiratory depression and allergic reactions.
There are also potential effects on newborns, mainly the risk for respiratory depression, sedation, decreased alertness, and difficulties initiating breastfeeding, such as delayed onset of the first feed.
In the randomized controlled, single-center study, investigators evaluated the impact of VR for pain reduction during labor in a healthcare unit in northern Portugal between May 2023 and May 2024. The clinical trial included 61 pregnant women, with 32 in the intervention group, which underwent an innovative program using VR during labor induction in addition to the standard-of-care treatment and 29 in the control group, which received standard of care.
The results showed a significant pain intensity reduction for the interventional group compared with the control group. However, there were no significant differences in pain reduction 30 minutes after the intervention ended between the two groups with a pain level mean of 3.21 (SD = 0.620) in the control group and 3.23 (SD = 0.679) in the intervention group at moment 1, and a marked reduction in pain was observed in the intervention group (mean = 3.43; SD = 0.709) compared with the control group (mean = 4.48; SD = 1.755). Thirty minutes after the conclusion of the VR intervention, pain levels returned to pretreatment thresholds, with a mean of 4.48 (SD = 0.620) in the control group and 4.50 (SD = 1.697) in the intervention group.
“Virtual reality proved to be an effective intervention for reducing pain during labor, with beneficial effects during its use,” the authors wrote. “However, these effects were not sustained in the long term.”
— Kenny Walter
