Women's ' s perceptions of the use of virtual reality during childbirth: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis

Background: Childbearing women often resort to pharmacotherapies for pain and anxiety management during childbirth, despite their adverse effects. Virtual reality has emerged as an alternative, but a comprehensive synthesis of women's experiences with virtual reality during labor is lacking, hindering validation of its perceived effects. Aim: To synthesize the best available evidence of women's perceptions of the use of virtual reality during childbirth. Methods: From the beginning until December 31, 2023, a comprehensive search was conducted across nine databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global), with no restrictions on publication year but limited to English language only. Qualitative findings focusing on women's experiences with virtual reality during childbirth were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and appraised quality. Data synthesis followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis and thematic analysis framework, with evidence assessed through GRADE-CERQual. Results: Eight studies were included, revealing a central theme: "The Journey of Childbirth through the Lens of Virtual Reality", supported by four themes: collective experiences and sentiments; labor pain and anxiety mitigation; Contentment and enthusiasm for subsequent utilization; and preferences and improvements. Conclusion: This qualitative systematic review explored women's unique experiences with virtual reality during childbirth. It highlighted the need for ongoing research and collaborative efforts in healthcare to enhance virtual reality interventions, ensuring their efficacy in obstetrics for competent childbirth management.