Virtual reality: A new technology to endure labor pains

Background: Pain during labor can stimulate cortisol, the stress hormone, which inhibitsthe other hormones the body needs to quickly and successfully push the labor along, includingoxytocin, endorphins, and prolactin. Using distraction technique can be an effective method toreduce pain. Virtual reality as a non-invasive clinical intervention can affect pain perception.Methods: The present study is a systematic review study. In order to collect data, Google Scholar,ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane databases in the years ۲۰۱۰-۲۰۲۲ have been used.۶۳ sources were obtained using the keywords of virtual reality, childbirth, labor, and painreduction. By screening, ۲۹ sources were selected for full text review, and finally ۱۱ sources wereincluded in the systematic review. Using the PRISMA checklist, the data were extracted by thetwo authors independently, Blinding was performed. Articles were analyzed according to thepurpose of the research. Result: In most of the reviewed studies, VR was proven to be an effectivetechnique in helping pregnant women and distract them from the events taking place around.Technique of being immersed in a different sensorial environment can temporarily relieve pain.virtual reality especially immersive VR can be effective in level of patient satisfaction, fear andanxiety and has an effect on relaxation in the early stages of childbirth. Conclusion: The use ofvirtual reality during childbirth can have an effect on reducing the use of opiate and narcotic painmedications and anesthesia. VR can be used as an adjunct to improve the childbirth experience ofwomen which affects women's physical, psychological and social health. Furthermore, byconducting more research and studies on larger groups of patients, it can be used as a standardtreatment during labor