NCT07343843

Virtual Reality Versus Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Maternal Anxiety, Stress, Hemodynamics, and Neonatal Outcomes During Cesarean Section

Effect of Virtual Reality Versus Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Maternal Anxiety, Stress, Hemodynamics, and Neonatal Outcomes During Cesarean Section

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 52 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Benha University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to compare the efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion versus virtual reality (VR) in reducing maternal anxiety, stress, and hemodynamic instability during cesarean section and their effects on neonatal outcome as respiration and heart rate.

Detailed description

Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide, with steadily increasing rates across both developed and developing countries. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been increasingly utilized in obstetric anesthesia because of its anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic properties with minimal respiratory depression. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as virtual reality (VR), have emerged as innovative strategies for perioperative anxiety management. VR provides immersive distraction, thereby modulating pain perception and reducing stress.

Conditions

• Virtual Reality
• Dexmedetomidine
• Maternal Anxiety
• Stress
• Hemodynamics
• Neonatal Outcomes
• Cesarean Section

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Dexmedetomidine	Following confirmation of adequate spinal anesthesia, dexmedetomidine will be administered as an intravenous infusion of 0.2-0.4µg/kg/hr until abdominal closure.
OTHER	Virtual reality	Participants will be fitted with virtual reality headsets immediately after the establishment of spinal anesthesia. The headsets will display calming immersive audiovisual content, and participants will continue wearing them throughout the entire procedure until skin closure.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-17
• Primary completion: 2026-07-01
• Completion: 2026-07-01
• First posted: 2026-01-15
• Last updated: 2026-01-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt