Effects of Dim Light During Labor on Pain, Anxiety, and Labor Progress

NCT07310602 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025/131
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The environment of the labor room may influence how women experience childbirth. Light levels, in particular, may affect comfort, stress, and the course of labor. However, there is limited high-quality evidence on whether keeping the labor room lighting dim has measurable benefits for mothers. This study aims to evaluate the effects of dim light exposure during active labor on pain, anxiety, and labor progress. Pregnant women who are in active labor at term will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will give birth in a room with dim lighting (50-80 lux), while the other group will receive standard room lighting as part of routine care. Pain and anxiety levels will be measured at specific time points during labor using standard assessment scales. Information about labor duration, use of labor medications, mode of delivery, and newborn outcomes will also be collected. The dim light intervention does not interfere with routine obstetric care and does not pose additional risk to the mother or baby. If needed for clinical reasons, room lighting can be increased immediately. The results of this study may help determine whether a simple change in the birth environment can improve maternal comfort and labor outcomes.

Conditions

Labor Pain and Anxiety; Labor Progress

Keywords

Dim light; Lighting intensity; Labor room environment; Labor pain; Anxiety during labor; Childbirth; Intrapartum care; Non-pharmacological intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain intensity over time (VAS-AUC, 0-120 minutes)

  Pain intensity will be assessed using a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline (0 minutes), 60 minutes, and 120 minutes after allocation. The area under the curve (AUC) for VAS from 0 to 120 minutes will be calculated as the primary outcome.

  From baseline to 120 minutes during active labor

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Anxiety level (STAI-S change)

  From baseline to 90 minutes during active labor

• Oxytocin use (initiation rate and total dose)

  During labor until delivery

• Duration of active phase of labor

  From enrollment to full dilation

• Duration of second stage of labor

  From full dilation to delivery

• Mode of delivery

  At delivery

Study Arms (2)

Dim Light (50-80 Lux)

EXPERIMENTAL

Labor room lighting will be maintained at 50-80 lux using warm white/amber light sources. Illumination will be monitored at regular intervals with a lux meter. Standard intrapartum care will be provided; lighting may be increased immediately if clinically needed.

Other: Dim Light Exposure During Labor

Routine Lighting (Control)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Routine labor room lighting will be maintained according to standard clinical practice. Standard intrapartum care will be provided.

Other: Routine Labor Room Lighting

Interventions

Dim Light Exposure During Labor OTHER

Adjustment of labor room illumination to a target range of 50-80 lux during active labor, with monitoring using a lux meter; lighting can be increased at any time for clinical reasons.

Dim Light (50-80 Lux)

Routine Labor Room Lighting OTHER

Standard labor room lighting conditions maintained according to routine clinical practice, without modification of illumination levels.

Routine Lighting (Control)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Pregnant individuals aged 18-45 years
• Singleton pregnancy
• Vertex (cephalic) presentation
• Gestational age ≥37 weeks
• Active labor at enrollment (cervical dilation between 4 and 8 cm)
• Ability to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Planned or ongoing epidural analgesia
• Multiple pregnancy
• Severe preeclampsia or other obstetric complications requiring immediate intervention
• Known photosensitivity or light-related sensitivity disorders
• History of psychiatric disorders that may interfere with anxiety assessment
• Any condition deemed by the clinical team to require deviation from the study protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pınar Erdoğan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Hospital

Niğde, Niğde Province, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• Zsido AN, Teleki SA, Csokasi K, Rozsa S, Bandi SA. Development of the short version of the spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory. Psychiatry Res. 2020 Sep;291:113223. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113223. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

  PMID: 32563747 BACKGROUND

• Wronding T, Argyraki A, Petersen JF, Topsoe MF, Petersen PM, Lokkegaard ECL. The aesthetic nature of the birthing room environment may alter the need for obstetrical interventions - an observational retrospective cohort study. Sci Rep. 2019 Jan 22;9(1):303. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-36416-x.

  PMID: 30670709 BACKGROUND

• Balabanoff D. Color, light, and birth space design: An integrative review. Color Res Appl. 2023;48:413-32. doi: 10.1002/COL.22842

  BACKGROUND

• Kazemi A, Beigi M, Najafabadi HE. Environmental factors influencing women's childbirth experiences in labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum unit: a qualitative cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023 Mar 13;23(1):169. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05488-7.

  PMID: 36915051 BACKGROUND

• Buckley SJ. Executive Summary of Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. J Perinat Educ. 2015;24(3):145-53. doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.24.3.145.

  PMID: 26834435 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Labor Pain; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Pınar Erdoğan, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

+905233646954; pinar.erdogan@ohu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MD, Assoc. Prof.

Model Details: Participants are assigned to one of two parallel study groups. To reduce contamination between groups, cluster randomization by delivery room and study week is applied.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 16, 2025
• First Posted: December 30, 2025
• Study Start: January 6, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)