Virtual Reality-Supported Psychosocial Care for Women After Perinatal Loss

The primary outcome measure will be assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), a shortened version of the original 42-item scale (DASS-42). The DASS-21 consists of 21 items grouped into three subscales: depression, anxiety, and stress, with each subscale comprising seven items. Responses are rated on a 4-point Likert scale, and total scores for each subscale are calculated by summing the item scores and multiplying the result by two. Higher scores indicate greater severity of symptoms. The scale will be administered at three time points: baseline (upon hospital admission), Day 7 post-discharge, and Day 30 post-discharge.

Perinatal grief will be assessed using the Perinatal Grief Scale - Short Form (PGS), developed to measure the intensity of grief following perinatal loss. The scale consists of 33 items in its original form; however, the short form includes 32 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. It comprises three subscales: active grief, difficulty coping, and despair, each containing 11 items. Items are summed to provide a total score ranging from 32 to 160, with higher scores indicating greater levels of grief. Except for items 11 and 32, all items are reverse-scored. The scale can be administered within the first two weeks post-loss or during later stages. The PGS-SF will be administered at baseline (hospital admission), Day 7 post-discharge, and Day.

Postpartum depression will be assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), developed to screen for the risk of depression in women during the postnatal period. The EPDS consists of 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale, with each item scored from 0 to 3. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater risk of postpartum depression. Items 1, 2, and 4 are scored positively, while the remaining items are reverse-scored. A cutoff score of 13 is used; scores of 13 or higher indicate a potential risk for postpartum depression, while scores of 12 or lower suggest a lower risk. The scale will be administered at Day 7 and Day 30 post-discharge.

A researcher-designed Participant Information Form will be used to collect key background information from participants. The form includes selected items on sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, education level), obstetric history (e.g., number of pregnancies, pregnancy planning), and gynecological features (e.g., previous pregnancy loss, complications). It was developed based on relevant literature and will be administered at baseline (hospital admission) to describe the study population.