Effects of a Virtual Reality Intervention on Women's Menstrual Problems Related to Endocrine Disruptors: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Menstrual disorders are prevalent among young women, with limited effective interventions.
• Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are increasingly linked to dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Reducing ED exposure may alleviate menstrual disorder symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) intervention on protective behaviors against EDs.
• To evaluate the longitudinal effects of VR on menstrual pain and PMS in young adult women.

Main Methods:

• A nonequivalent comparison group pretest-posttest design with 30 participants.
• VR intervention utilized the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills model with educational content, motivational cues, and avatar-based play.
• Data collected at baseline and 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in menstrual pain, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and protective behaviors were observed in the VR group compared to the control.
• No statistically significant overall group-by-time interaction effect was found for PMS.
• The VR intervention demonstrated effectiveness in promoting protective behaviors and reducing menstrual pain.

Conclusions:

• Immersive VR interventions can enhance patient education and engagement in digital health.
• VR has the potential to improve health outcomes related to menstrual disorders by promoting protective behaviors.
• Further research is needed to optimize long-term adherence and explore booster session efficacy.