Emotional Freedom Techniques and Virtual Reality Application for Fear of Childbirth

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Mental Well-being; Attachment; Fear of Childbirth; Emotional Freedom Technique; Virtual Reality; Primiparous Pregnant Women

• Registration Number: NCT06813547
• Lead Sponsor: Inonu University

Brief Summary

Fear of labour in primiparous pregnant women is an important factor that directly affects the mother-infant relationship and the mental health of the mother. In this process, it is common for expectant mothers to experience feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about labour. Such intense fear of birth may weaken maternal attachment and make it difficult for her to establish a healthy emotional relationship with her baby. In addition, this fear may negatively affect the mother's mental well-being and increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

In this context, emotional liberation techniques (EFT) and virtual reality (VR) applications stand out as effective nonpharmacological methods used to reduce fear of childbirth in primiparous pregnant women. EFT is a technique that provides relaxation by touching the energy meridians that help the person to regulate negative emotions and cope with stress. SG, on the other hand, allows expectant mothers to interact with simulations similar to the real world in a virtual environment, providing therapeutic benefits through distraction, stress reduction and cognitive restructuring, allowing them to manage their fears about birth and enter the process more prepared. The use of SLT and SG, especially for primiparous pregnant women, can alleviate these women's anxiety about childbirth and enable them to approach the process in a safer and more conscious manner. Thus, it may also help to reduce the negative effects on the mother's postnatal attachment and mental health.

This study aims to examine the effects of SLT and SG practices on fear of childbirth, attachment and mental well-being, and to reveal the effects of these two methods on primiparous pregnant women. In this context, this study will fill the gap in the literature by providing a new perspective in clinical practice and antenatal education programmes and will make important contributions to increase antenatal attachment and mental well-being in primiparous pregnancy.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-12
• Study Start: 2025-01-31
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-03
• Study First Posted: 2025-02-07
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-30
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-05-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• No verbal communication problems
• Primiparous pregnancy
• 32/0-38/0 weeks of gestation
• Having a single, viable foetus
• No psychiatric disorder
• No obstetric complications
• Absence of scar tissue or an obstacle to touch at the points of EFT application

Exclusion Criteria

• Not wanting to continue the research
• Early labour

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Wijma Birth Anticipation/Fear Scale - Version A	32-38 weeks of gestation	The level of fear of labour will be assessed using a validated instrument, the Wijma Birth Anticipation/Fear Scale (Version A). Scores range from 0 to 165, with higher scores indicating higher levels of fear of labour.
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale - WEMWBS	32-38 weeks of gestation	Mental well-being will be measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Scores range from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating higher mental well-being
Subjective Unit Experience Scale	32-38 weeks of gestation	The scale, which was developed by Hartmann is utilised in EFT applications and enables the individual to categorise their own emotions by evaluating them with numbers. The SUE, a specific EFT instrument, is utilised to ascertain the intensity (degree) of the emotion experienced at the commencement and conclusion of the session. The scale is scored between -10 and +10, with negative numbers denoting negative/unpleasant experiences and positive numbers denoting positive/pleasant experiences.
Prenatal Mother-Infant Attachment Prenatal Mother-Infant Attachment Prenatal Mother-Infant Attachment	32-38 weeks of gestation	Maternal attachment to the unborn baby will be evaluated using the Prenatal Maternal Attachment Scale. Scores range from 21 to 84, with higher scores indicating stronger maternal attachment.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Demographic Characteristics of Participants	32-38 weeks of gestation	Age, education level, marital status, socioeconomic status, gestational week, and previous pregnancy history will be collected using a demographic information form.; Group Comparability After Randomization Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics will be analyzed to ensure balance across groups after randomization.; Subgroup Analysis Based on Age and Education Level Intervention effects will be examined across subgroups categorized by age and education level.; Duration of Fear of Childbirth The duration of childbirth fear (in weeks or months) will be self-reported by participants.; Previous Psychological Support History Participants' history of psychological support will be recorded via self-reported questionnaires.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Malatya Training and Research Hospital; 🇹🇷 Malatya, Turkey