Virtual Reality and Cryotherapy for Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Cesarean Section

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality and cryotherapy, used separately and in combination, in reducing postoperative pain and anxiety among women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups or a control group according to the study design. Postoperative pain and anxiety will be assessed using validated measurement tools at predetermined time points after surgery. The findings of this study may provide evidence for safe, non-pharmacological interventions to improve postoperative recovery and patient comfort following cesarean section.

Inclusion Criteria: Female participants aged 18 to 45 years. Undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamically stable after surgery. Able to understand Arabic. Conscious, oriented, and able to complete study questionnaires. Willing to participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Undergoing cesarean section under general anesthesia. Severe postoperative complications requiring intensive care. Severe visual or hearing impairment preventing virtual reality use. History of epilepsy or seizure disorder. Severe motion sickness or vestibular disorders. Known psychiatric illness interfering with outcome assessment. Cognitive impairment preventing completion of questionnaires. Skin disease, wound complications, cold hypersensitivity, Raynaud's phenomenon, or allergy/intolerance to cryotherapy. Severe intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. Refusal to participate or withdrawal of informed consent.