Virtual fetal touch through a haptic interface decreases maternal anxiety and salivary cortisol.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a virtual reality workstation (Fetouch system) offering three-dimensional (3D) fetal visual and kinesthetic interaction may affect maternal stress.


METHODS
Maternal-fetal visual and kinesthetic interaction was obtained through a haptic interface based on 3D reconstruction of sequencial bi-dimensional ultrasound images of the fetus. Maternal stress was assessed before and after visual/kinesthetic interaction with the fetus: 1) by using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y (STAI) test, and 2) by measuring salivary cortisol levels. Statistical analysis was performed by paired t test and analysis of variance for repeated measures.


RESULTS
After the fetal visual and kinesthetic experiences, a significant reduction was observed in anxiety (low state anxiety group, P < .0034; high state anxiety group, P < .0108), as well as in salivary cortisol concentration (P < .0004).


CONCLUSIONS
Physical interaction with the fetus through a 3D model may reduce maternal stress.
Severi
F M
FM
Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Prattichizzo
D
D
Casarosa
E
E
Barbagli
F
F
Ferretti
C
C
Altomare
A
A
Vicino
A
A
Petraglia
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007699:Kinesthesis; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014110:Touch; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D006854:Hydrocortisone