NCT07499011

Comparison Between Virtual Reality and Stress Ball Intervention In Managing Pain During Episiotomy Repair

Comparison Between Virtual Reality and Stress Ball Intervention in Managing Pain During Episiotomy Repair

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 112 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Baghdad · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 42 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is a four-arm randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for pain management during episiotomy repair among women undergoing vaginal birth. Participants will be allocated to one of four groups: virtual reality, stress ball, combined virtual reality plus stress ball, or control. The virtual reality intervention is intended to provide immersive distraction, while the stress ball offers tactile distraction; the combined group receives both interventions simultaneously. The control group receives routine care only. The primary outcome is pain intensity measured during the procedure using the Visual Analog Scale. Outcome data will be compared across groups to identify the most effective intervention for reducing pain during episiotomy repair. This study may provide evidence for practical, safe, and low-cost supportive strategies that can improve maternal comfort during childbirth procedures.

Conditions

• Perineal Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	virtual reality	Use of virtual reality goggles during episiotomy repair as a non-pharmacological pain management intervention.
OTHER	stress ball	Use of a stress ball during episiotomy repair as a non-pharmacological pain management intervention.
OTHER	Virtual Reality Plus Stress Ball	Combined use of virtual reality goggles and a stress ball during episiotomy repair as a non-pharmacological pain management intervention.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-16
• Primary completion: 2026-02-13
• Completion: 2026-02-13
• First posted: 2026-03-27
• Last updated: 2026-04-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Iraq