Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Jan 24, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Feb 3, 2025 - Mar 31, 2025
Date Accepted: Apr 4, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Immersive Virtual Reality eHealth Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mental health during pregnancy is a critical factor influencing maternal and fetal outcomes. Anxiety and depression affect up to 25% of pregnant women, with significant consequences for maternal well-being and child development. Despite this, interventions during pregnancy remain limited, creating a need for innovative, accessible solutions.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) eHealth intervention in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy.
Methods:
A two-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted across five primary care centers in Catalonia, Spain, between October 2021 and May 2024. Participants (n=70) were pregnant women aged ≥18 years with moderate anxiety and depression symptoms (EPDS scores: 9-12) at 12–14 weeks of gestation. They were randomized (1:1) to an IVR intervention or standard care group. The intervention group engaged in daily 14-minute IVR mindfulness and relaxation sessions for six weeks. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
Results:
The intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in EPDS scores (mean decrease from 11.32 to 7.25; p<0.001) compared to an increase in the control group (mean increase from 11.32 to 16.23; p<0.001). Similarly, STAI scores improved markedly in the intervention group (coefficient: -30.47; 95% CI: -45.23 to -15.72; p<0.001), while the control group experienced negligible changes. High adherence rates were observed, with 78.8% of participants completing ≥30 sessions. Participant satisfaction was high, with 87% reporting being "very satisfied" with the intervention.
Conclusions:
The IVR eHealth intervention significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, demonstrating its potential as an accessible and effective tool for mental health support during pregnancy. High adherence and satisfaction levels underscore its feasibility and acceptability. Future research should explore the long-term effects and scalability of IVR interventions in diverse settings. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05756205
Citation
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Copyright
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