Binaural Beat Music, Virtual Reality, and Hormones in Childbirth

Many non-pharmacological methods are used to support women during childbirth and to ensure that the physiological course of labor is not disrupted. Music therapy, whose therapeutic effects on the body and mind have been known for centuries, has been shown in studies to reduce pain and anxiety during childbirth and provide relaxation. Virtual reality, which has been in the spotlight in recent years and has been shown to be effective in managing acute pain and anxiety, is also emerging as a promising method due to its positive effects on the pregnant woman, fetus, and birth. On the other hand, the potential benefits of Binaural Beats-which refers to the phenomenon where sounds at different frequencies presented separately to the right and left ears are perceived as a single sound-on anxiety, pain, stress, and overall well-being have become an increasingly researched topic.

Pregnant women need education, encouragement, and support to make informed decisions about using non-pharmacological alternative methods during childbirth, and healthcare professionals need to support these methods. Therefore, it is important to conduct research on this topic and ensure that the approaches implemented are evidence-based.

The investigators expect that the results of this study, which will be based on direct blood sampling from the mother and hormone (oxytocin, prolactin, catecholamine, endorphin, prostaglandin E, and cortisol) measurement during labor and the postpartum period, will provide important evidence for non-pharmacological methods that can be used in birth environments to provide relief from fear and labor pain during labor, encourage normal birth, and facilitate normal birth.

The study population will consist of all primiparous pregnant women presenting to the hospital to give birth. The study sample will consist of pregnant women who, after obtaining the necessary permissions, were admitted to the delivery room during the study period, met the inclusion criteria, and provided informed consent after receiving study information.

Randomization will be applied to the selection of women for the experimental and control groups. The random number generation method available on the random.org website will be used. All numbers will be placed in an opaque envelope, the contents of which will be hidden from view, and a healthcare professional independent of the study will randomly draw a number for each participant. Participants will be assigned to groups based on the predetermined random order. This procedure will ensure that the randomization process is impartial and confidential. All data will be collected from admission to the delivery room until the sixth hour postpartum.

Blood will not be collected specifically for this study. The hospital where the study will be conducted routinely draws blood from women before and after birth. Approximately 1 cc of blood from these routinely collected samples will be used. The collected blood will be stored at -80°C until analysis. All participants will have oxytocin, prolactin, catecholamine, endorphin, prostaglandin E, and cortisol levels measured.

Pregnant Introduction Form, Birth Follow-up Form, and Visual Comparison Scale will be used as data collection tools.

Data collection in experimental groups:

In the experimental groups, pregnant women at the beginning of the active phase will be informed about the study and will complete the Pregnancy Introduction Form after providing informed consent and verbal assent. Information regarding group-specific procedures will be provided. When dilation reaches 5 cm, pain levels will be measured using the Visual Comparison Scale. Subsequently, the appropriate intervention (VR or music) will be applied. The entire labor process will be monitored, and follow-up findings will be recorded on the Labor and Delivery Form.

• Virtual Reality group: Before the application, participants will be introduced to virtual reality glasses and informed about the content. A virtual reality video featuring ocean and nature images will be used. The glasses will be adjusted appropriately for each participant, and all participants will watch the same video content for 30 minutes
• Binaural Beats-Powered Music Group: Participants will be informed about Binaural Beats-powered music before the procedure. Over-ear headphones will be adjusted appropriately, and all participants will listen to music for 30 minutes.

Pain levels will be measured again using the Visual Comparison Scale at the end of the active phase.

Data collection in the control group:

In the control group, pregnant women at the beginning of the active phase will be informed about the study and will provide informed consent and verbal assent. After completing the Pregnancy Identification Form, pain levels will be measured using the Visual Comparison Scale at 5 cm dilation. No interventions other than routine care will be applied. Information regarding the labor process and follow-up findings will be recorded on the Labor Follow-up Form. At the end of the active phase, pain levels will be measured again using the Visual Comparison Scale.

Inclusion criteria

• Able to speak Turkish and communicate verbally
• No hearing or visual impairments
• The pregnancy is at term (37-42 weeks of gestation) and labor has begun
• Single fetus with cephalic presentation
• No chronic disease
• Not taking hormone therapy
• Pregnant women who do not have any obstetric risks and are expected to give birth normally

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with risky pregnancy
• Complications during birth
• Those with vision and hearing problems
• Any pharmacological pain-reducing method applied
• Cesarean section planned
• Those who have experienced any alternative methods for preparing for birth or managing labor pain (such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, hypnosis)