Clinical Research Directory

Effect of Guided Imagery and AI-Assisted Video on Pain During Uterine Involution Assessment in Postpartum Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Uterine involution, the process by which the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size during the postpartum period, can cause severe cramp-like pain in postpartum women. Although pharmacological methods are common for managing this pain in the literature, their side effects limit their use in this population. This project aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by combining guided imagery, a non-pharmacological technique, with evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. While the effectiveness of guided imagery in cesarean and labor pain is well-known, its impact on pain and physiological parameters during uterine involution-specifically through AI-supported visualization-will be evaluated for the first time within the scope of this study. The primary research question of the project is: "Do guided imagery and AI-supported video applications have a healing effect on the pain levels and vital signs of postpartum women during the evaluation of uterine involution?" This research is a three-arm, randomized controlled experimental study to be conducted at Istanbul Atlas University Hospital. The sample size of the study was determined using the G\*Power 3.1 program. As a result of the a priori power analysis performed by selecting the "ANOVA: Fixed effects, omnibus, one-way" statistical test under the "F tests" family, the significance level was set at α = 0.05, the statistical power (1-β) at 0.80, and the effect size (f) at 0.25 (medium effect). The analysis indicated a total sample size of 159 participants for the three groups, with 53 participants required in each group. To account for potential sample attrition, a 10% addition was made to each group, resulting in a planned study with 59 participants per group and a total of 177 participants. "Guided Imagery" and "AI-Supported Video" applications will be utilized as intervention methods. In the guided imagery group, an expert-approved original audio script titled "The Emotional Journey of Mother and Baby" will be played to the women via over-ear headphones during the uterine involution assessment. In the AI-supported video group, a video generated with AI prompts based on the same script will be shown using virtual reality (VR) goggles during the assessment. This will allow for a comparative analysis of the effects of visual and auditory stimuli on pain during the uterine involution evaluation. Participants' pain levels will be measured using the VAS scale, and physiological data (pulse, blood pressure, SpO₂) will be recorded by monitoring at the 60th, 120th, and 180th seconds of the involution process. Considering the moderating effect of anxiety on pain threshold and vital signs, the 'Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale' will be administered to all participants before the intervention. Data will be analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests in the SPSS 23 program.

THE EFFECT OF GUİDED IMAGERY ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

EFFECT OF GUIDED IMAGERY ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a condition characterized by physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms that appear at the end of the luteal phase, 7-10 days before menstruation, and resolve with the onset of menstruation. Symptoms include irritability, loss of control, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, decreased concentration, unexplained crying, fatigue, weakness, changes in appetite, edema, headaches, joint and muscle pain, breast tenderness, altered sexual activity, and social withdrawal. In young women, PMS can negatively affect self-confidence, social relationships, quality of life, and academic performance. PMS treatment aims to relieve both physical and psychological symptoms and may include dietary supplements and complementary-alternative therapies. Approaches such as reflexology, pilates, acupressure, music, exercise, and guided imagery have shown promising results in reducing premenstrual symptoms. Mind-body-based approaches in complementary therapies are known to support psychological well-being. Guided imagery, a form of mind-body communication, involves the flow of thoughts and the way the mind encodes, stores, and expresses sensory information. It is based on the understanding that the mind and body are interconnected and that mental processes can influence physical responses. Guided imagery has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, enhance sleep quality, strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue, and minimize nausea and vomiting. Although effective, research on the use of guided imagery to reduce PMS symptoms in university students is limited. This study aims to investigate the effect of guided imagery on premenstrual syndrome in this population.

The Effect of Guided Imagery on Activity-Specific Balance Confidence, Pain, and Psychological Well-Being

The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of guided imagery on activity-specific balance confidence, pain, and psychological well-being in elderly orthopedic patients. In the study, guided imagery will be applied by the researchers and will be applied over 2 days for a total of 3 repetitions. The study will be conducted in the postoperative period of the patients.