Overview
Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstrual periods, is a common condition that can affect daily activities and quality of life. This study aims to evaluate whether using virtual reality (VR) can reduce pain and anxiety in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a VR group or a 2D video group. Participants in the VR group will watch a relaxing virtual environment using a VR headset for 20 minutes once a day for three consecutive days. Participants in the 2D video group will watch the same content for the same duration and frequency using a 2D screen, such as a phone, tablet, or computer.
Pain intensity and anxiety levels will be assessed before and after each session during the three-day intervention. The study will compare changes in pain and anxiety between the two groups to evaluate the effect of VR in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Description
Dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual health problem that may negatively affect physical well-being, psychological status, daily activities, and quality of life. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs in the absence of an underlying pelvic pathology and is commonly characterized by cramping pain during menstruation. Pain associated with dysmenorrhea may also be accompanied by psychological symptoms such as anxiety.
Pharmacological treatments are commonly used to manage dysmenorrhea; however, interest in non-pharmacological approaches has increased because of potential limitations and adverse effects associated with medication use. Virtual reality (VR) is a non-pharmacological and non-invasive approach that may help manage pain by directing attention away from painful stimuli and providing an immersive sensory experience.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of a relaxing VR-based intervention on pain intensity and anxiety levels among university students with primary dysmenorrhea. The study will also examine changes in these outcomes across repeated measurements during the three-day intervention period. The findings may contribute to the development of non-pharmacological approaches for managing pain and anxiety associated with primary dysmenorrhea.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- University students,
- Diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea,
- Having a regular menstrual cycle,
- Willing to participate in the study,
- Having no vision or hearing problems.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea,
- Individuals experiencing chronic pelvic pain,
- Individuals with a psychiatric disorder,
- Individuals using hormonal therapy,
- Individuals using analgesics during menstruation,
- Individuals with visual or hearing impairments,
- Individuals wishing to withdraw at any stage of the study,
- Individuals who fill out the forms incompletely or fail to fill them out.
