Virtual Reality-Based Health Promotion Education and Healthy Living Behaviors in Pregnant Women

Launched by ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY - CERRAHPASA · Jul 24, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing whether education for pregnant women helps them live healthier during pregnancy. It compares three groups: (1) education delivered with virtual reality (VR), (2) education delivered with printed booklets, and (3) routine prenatal care with no extra education. The study uses random assignment, and participants don’t know which group they’re in, while researchers do not know who is in which group. The main goal is to see if these educational methods can improve healthy lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy, measured from around 12–16 weeks to about 38 weeks of gestation. A secondary goal is to look at emotional well-being (levels of depression, anxiety, and stress) over the same period.

Who can take part and what to expect: eligible participants are pregnant women 18 years or older, between 12–16 weeks of gestation, in their first pregnancy, and without health problems that would affect lifestyle changes. Women with high-risk pregnancies, certain mental health or communication difficulties, or those who have participated in similar programs before would not be eligible. If you join, you’ll be randomly assigned to one of the three groups and participate in three weekly education sessions (about 20 minutes each) either via VR or in person with booklets, plus follow-up motivational phone calls. You’ll complete health and mood questionnaires during pregnancy and a postpartum form. The study is happening at Istanbul University – Cerrahpasa in Istanbul, Turkey, and is currently enrolling. Data sharing is not planned for individual participants.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnant women between 12-16 weeks of gestation
• • Primigravida (first pregnancy)
• • No chronic disease or health condition affecting lifestyle behaviors
• • Able to communicate and give informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • High-risk pregnancies (e.g., gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, multiple pregnancy, threatened preterm labor)
• • Existing psychiatric or communication impairments (e.g., language barrier)
• • Having previously participated in similar educational programs