Facilitators and barriers to implementing virtual reality (VR) interventions for women with labour pain: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract

Aim(s): The aim of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers associated with implementing a VR intervention for women with labour pain.

Design: A scoping review was conducted using guidelines published by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The scoping review was registered with the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/K5HSP)

Data sources: English-language studies from 2021 to 2024 from CINAHL, MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, and PubMed.

Methods: Reviewers systematically screened retrieved articles based on inclusion criteria. Facilitators and barriers were identified and extracted using the theoretical domain framework.

Results: Among the eight included studies, 23 facilitators and 21 barriers were identified from the participant’s perspective. Facilitators were commonly categorised in the areas of environmental context and resources (30%), emotions (22%) and beliefs about consequences (13%). Barriers were most commonly categorised in the areas of environmental context (52%) and skills (24%).

Conclusion: The results of this study present a complete review of the existing literature on the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of VR interventions for women with labour pain. Based on the barriers identified in this study, the development and use of VR interventions and devices need to consider the viewpoints of the women with labour pain. This could reduce physical (e.g., language) and cognitive barriers that are important to women with specific barriers.

Impact: The results of this study identified facilitators and barriers to the implementation of VR interventions for women with labour pain, and the results of the review may contribute to the establishment of future strategies for the implementation of VR interventions to reduce labour pain. Furthermore, further investigation needs to fill the gaps in knowledge regarding healthcare practitioner perspectives on VR interventions for women with labour pain.

Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Keywords: VR, virtual reality, VR intervention, labour pain, facilitators, barriers.