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Effects of Breastfeeding, Virtual Reality, and Stress Ball on Pain, Anxiety, Cortisol Levels, and Comfort During Episiotomy Repair
Sponsor: Aydin Adnan Menderes University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effects of three different interventions-breastfeeding, using a stress ball, or wearing virtual reality (VR) goggles-on pain, anxiety, and stress during episiotomy repair (stitching) after childbirth. It also aims to examine how these methods affect a mother's comfort after the procedure. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does breastfeeding, using a stress ball, or using VR goggles lower the mother's pain and anxiety during the repair? Do these interventions reduce the mother's biological stress levels, measured by saliva cortisol tests? Do these methods lead to higher postpartum comfort levels for the mother in the first 24 hours after birth? Researcher will compare these three intervention groups to a "control group" (mothers receiving standard hospital care) to see which approach is most effective. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to one of four groups: Breastfeeding, VR Goggles, Stress Ball, or Standard Care. Use their assigned intervention throughout the entire episiotomy repair process. Provide saliva samples before and after the procedure to measure stress hormones (cortisol). Rate their pain and anxiety levels using clinical scales twice: once before the procedure begins and once immediately after it is finished. Complete a survey about their comfort levels between 6 and 24 hours after the delivery.
Official title: Effects of Breastfeeding, Virtual Reality, and Stress Ball on Pain, Anxiety, Cortisol Levels, and Comfort During Episiotomy Repair in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2026-04
Completion Date
2027-09
Last Updated
2026-04-03
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin Contact
Midwife-supported breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact initiated before episiotomy repair and maintained throughout the procedure.
Virtual Reality (VR) Goggles
Use of VR goggles to provide relaxing visual and auditory nature content as a sensory distraction during episiotomy repair.
Rhythmic Stress Ball Application
A physical distraction technique where participants rhythmically squeeze and release a ball while counting from 1 to 3 throughout the procedure.
Locations (1)
Nazilli State Hospital
Aydin, Nazilli, Turkey (Türkiye)