Development and Effect of Prenatal Education Programs Using Virtual Reality for Pregnant Women Hospitalized With...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Health Education
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Hospitalized pregnant women with preterm labor experience significant anxiety and stress, impacting their health and potentially labor progression.
• Effective prenatal management is crucial for this patient group, highlighting the need for innovative educational interventions.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers enhanced engagement for prenatal education, addressing the complex needs of women hospitalized with preterm labor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a VR-based prenatal education program for pregnant women hospitalized with preterm labor.
• To assess the program's impact on physical, emotional, and educational outcomes.
• To utilize the Cox Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (IMCHB) as a guiding framework.

Main Methods:

• The VR program was developed using the Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE) model.
• A quasi-experimental pre- and posttest design with a nonequivalent control group was employed.
• Data from 15 experimental and 16 control participants were analyzed using statistical tests, including t-tests and chi-square.

Main Results:

• The VR group showed significantly lower state anxiety, preterm labor stress, and uterine contraction frequency/intensity.
• Participants in the VR group experienced a significant increase in cervical length.
• The VR intervention led to significantly higher practice behavior and self-efficacy in pregnancy health care.

Conclusions:

• VR-based prenatal education is an effective intervention for hospitalized preterm labor patients.
• The program addresses physical, emotional, and educational needs, improving patient outcomes.
• This VR approach provides a professional, integrated solution for complex nursing care in preterm labor management.