Virtual Reality-Based and Face-to-Face Relaxation Programs in Pregnant Women With Preeclampsia

NCT ID: NCT06893510

Last Updated: 2025-09-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

96 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-08

Study Completion Date

2026-09-01

Brief Summary

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Preeclampsia, affecting 2-8% of pregnancies globally, is a leading hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. It is clinically characterized by elevated blood pressure (≥140/90 mmHg) after the 20th gestational week, often accompanied by proteinuria and systemic complications such as thrombocytopenia, liver dysfunction, and cerebral symptoms. This condition poses significant risks for both maternal and fetal health, increasing the likelihood of organ damage, preterm birth, and long-term cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental complications. Non-pharmacological interventions, including relaxation techniques, have been explored for symptom management. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) has shown efficacy in reducing stress, anxiety, and blood pressure. Recently, virtual reality (VR)-based relaxation techniques have gained attention for enhancing stress relief and improving health outcomes. This study aims to compare the effects of VR-based PMR with in-person PMR on maternal and fetal outcomes in preeclamptic pregnancies.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Pre-Eclampsia Maternal Health Relaxation Virtual Reality Fetal Monitoring

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This study follows a parallel-group design, where participants are randomly assigned to one of three independent groups: Face-to-Face Progressive Muscle Relaxation (F2F-PMRG), Virtual Reality Progressive Muscle Relaxation (VR-PMRG), or the Control Group.
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
This study employs a single-blind design, where participants will be unaware of their assigned intervention group (VR-based progressive muscle relaxation or in-person progressive muscle relaxation). However, researcher administering the interventions will be informed of group assignments. To ensure ethical compliance, separate informed consent forms have been prepared for each group, detailing the intervention.

Study Groups

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Face-to-Face Progressive Muscle Relaxation Group (F2F-PMRG)

Participants in this group will engage in 15-minute progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises guided by the researcher for three consecutive days (once per day). To promote continued practice, participants will receive an audio recording of the PMR session, narrated by the researcher. After the initial three supervised sessions, they will be asked to listen to this recording twice a week and log their practice on a provided tracking sheet. The researcher will follow up with participants via phone calls to monitor compliance.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Face-to-Face Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants practice progressive muscle relaxation exercises in a traditional face-to-face setting, guided by a researcher. Initial supervised sessions are complemented by self-guided practice using an audio recording.

Virtual Reality Progressive Muscle Relaxation Group (VR-PMRG)

Participants will undergo 15-minute VR-assisted PMR sessions for three consecutive days (once per day) under the researcher's supervision. The VR sessions will include relaxing nature scenes combined with the researcher's PMR audio guidance. After the initial three sessions, participants will receive the same PMR audio recording and will be instructed to listen to it twice a week, logging their sessions. The researcher will conduct phone follow-ups to ensure adherence.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual Reality Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants engage in progressive muscle relaxation exercises using a virtual reality headset that provides immersive visual and auditory relaxation content. Sessions are conducted under researcher supervision, followed by self-guided practice using an audio recording.

Control Group

Participants in the control group will not receive any relaxation intervention and will continue their usual daily routines.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Virtual Reality Based Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Participants engage in progressive muscle relaxation exercises using a virtual reality headset that provides immersive visual and auditory relaxation content. Sessions are conducted under researcher supervision, followed by self-guided practice using an audio recording.

Intervention Type OTHER

Face-to-Face Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Participants practice progressive muscle relaxation exercises in a traditional face-to-face setting, guided by a researcher. Initial supervised sessions are complemented by self-guided practice using an audio recording.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Hospitalized with a diagnosis of preeclampsia.
* Gestational age ≥26 weeks.
* 18 years or older.
* Singleton and viable pregnancy.
* Willing to participate in the study voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria

* Multiple pregnancy.
* Pregnancy achieved through assisted reproductive technologies.
* Hearing or vision impairment in the pregnant individual.
* Fetal distress requiring emergency intervention.
* HELLP Syndrome or Eclampsia.
* History of vertigo.

Withdrawal Criteria:

* Cases where live birth does not occur.
* Participants who voluntarily withdraw from the study.
* Participants whose general health condition deteriorates during the intervention.
* Participants experiencing side effects from virtual reality headset use (e.g., dizziness, nausea, headache).
* Participants who do not practice progressive muscle relaxation at least once a week after the intervention.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Güzin Ünlü Suvari

M.Sc, Ph.D. Student

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ergül Aslan, Prof. Dr.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa

Locations

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Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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Güzin Ünlü Suvari, M.Sc.

Role: CONTACT

+902165004429

Facility Contacts

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Güzin Ünlü Suvari, M.Sc.

Role: primary

References

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Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 222. Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jun;135(6):e237-e260. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003891.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32443079 (View on PubMed)

Bell IH, Nicholas J, Alvarez-Jimenez M, Thompson A, Valmaggia L. Virtual reality as a clinical tool in mental health research and practice . Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun;22(2):169-177. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/lvalmaggia.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32699517 (View on PubMed)

Bernstein, D. A., Borkovec, T. D., & Hazlett-Stevens, H. (2000). New directions in progressive relaxation training: A guidebook for helping professionals. Praeger Publishing.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Chuang LL, Lin LC, Cheng PJ, Chen CH, Wu SC, Chang CL. The effectiveness of a relaxation training program for women with preterm labour on pregnancy outcomes: a controlled clinical trial. Int J Nurs Stud. 2012 Mar;49(3):257-64. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2011.09.007. Epub 2011 Oct 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21968280 (View on PubMed)

Dominguez-Solis E, Lima-Serrano M, Lima-Rodriguez JS. Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce anxiety in pregnancy, labour and postpartum: A systematic review. Midwifery. 2021 Nov;102:103126. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103126. Epub 2021 Aug 14.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34464836 (View on PubMed)

Escobar-Bermudez A, Bejarano-Beltran MP. Experiences of women with preeclampsia in an Obstetric Intensive Care Unit in Colombia. Enferm Clin (Engl Ed). 2021 May-Jun;31(3):166-174. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2020.11.003. Epub 2021 Jan 9. English, Spanish.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33436348 (View on PubMed)

Estrella-Juarez F, Requena-Mullor M, Garcia-Gonzalez J, Lopez-Villen A, Alarcon-Rodriguez R. Effect of Virtual Reality and Music Therapy on the Physiologic Parameters of Pregnant Women and Fetuses and on Anxiety Levels: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2023 Jan;68(1):35-43. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.13413. Epub 2022 Nov 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36383473 (View on PubMed)

Ferguson C, Davidson PM, Scott PJ, Jackson D, Hickman LD. Augmented reality, virtual reality and gaming: an integral part of nursing. Contemp Nurse. 2015;51(1):1-4. doi: 10.1080/10376178.2015.1130360. Epub 2016 Jan 14. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26678947 (View on PubMed)

Folk DM. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Overview and Current Recommendations. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2018 May;63(3):289-300. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12725. Epub 2018 May 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29764001 (View on PubMed)

Hajesmaeel-Gohari S, Sarpourian F, Shafiei E. Virtual reality applications to assist pregnant women: a scoping review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021 Mar 25;21(1):249. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-03725-5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33765969 (View on PubMed)

Ioannou A, Papastavrou E, Avraamides MN, Charalambous A. Virtual Reality and Symptoms Management of Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Pain: A Systematic Review. SAGE Open Nurs. 2020 Aug 27;6:2377960820936163. doi: 10.1177/2377960820936163. eCollection 2020 Jan-Dec.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33415290 (View on PubMed)

Machado MSR, Bertagnolli TV, Veiga ECA, Ferreira CJH, Duarte G, Machado JSR, Carvalho R. Multiprofessional care promotes of quality of life in pregnant women with preeclampsia: a cross-sectional study. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2020 Oct 26;75:e1951. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2020/e1951. eCollection 2020.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33146357 (View on PubMed)

Severi FM, Prattichizzo D, Casarosa E, Barbagli F, Ferretti C, Altomare A, Vicino A, Petraglia F. Virtual fetal touch through a haptic interface decreases maternal anxiety and salivary cortisol. J Soc Gynecol Investig. 2005 Jan;12(1):37-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jsgi.2004.07.006.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15629669 (View on PubMed)

Son H, Ross A, Mendoza-Tirado E, Lee LJ. Virtual Reality in Clinical Practice and Research: Viewpoint on Novel Applications for Nursing. JMIR Nurs. 2022 Mar 16;5(1):e34036. doi: 10.2196/34036.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35293870 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2025-01/37

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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