Comparisons of the Effects of Watching Virtual Reality Videos and Chewing Gum on the Length of Delivery Stages and Maternal Childbirth Satisfaction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Maternal childbirth satisfaction is one of the important indicators of the quality of the care provided. The use of non-pharmacological therapies can make the childbirth process a pleasurable event for the mother. This study aimed to compare the effects of watching virtual reality videos and chewing gum on the length of delivery stages and maternal satisfaction. Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 93 women with first and second pregnancies, who were referred to Allameh Bohlool Hospital in Gonabad and Sajjadieh Hospital in Torbat-e-Jam, Iran, for childbirth between 2018 and 2019. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to three groups of chewing gum, virtual reality, and control. Interventions were performed twice: in the active (dilation of 4-5 cm) and second (dilation of 7-8 cm) phases of parturition for 20 minutes each. Data were collected using data-gathering forms, including a demographic characteristics form, a midwifery characteristics form, and the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS, version 22, via the Chi square tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Tukey's post hoc tests. Results: The difference in the mean maternal childbirth satisfaction score between the two intervention groups of virtual reality and chewing gum was not statistically significant (P=0.339), but the mean score in the intervention groups was higher than that of the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean length of the active and second phases of parturition between the two intervention groups, but this value in the intervention groups was significantly lower than that of the control group. Conclusion: The thought divergence interventions of chewing gum and watching virtual reality videos enhanced childbirth satisfaction, and curtailed parturition stages in our sample of pregnant women.