Table 3 Comparison of mean scores of mothers’ anxiety in three groups of virtual reality, chewing gum and control

Dilatation 4-5 cm

anxiety before intervention

40.41 ± 6.32

42.45 ± 4.97

39.77 ± 6.38

P = 0.185*

F = 1.720

anxiety immediately after the intervention

38.32 ± 6.44

44.03 ± 4.90

37.48 ± 6.65

P = 0.000**

Df = 2

anxiety 30 min after intervention

38.90 ± 6.12

48.48 ± 5.34

38.09 ± 5.84

P = 0.000*

F = 30.957

Dilatation 7-8 cm

anxiety before intervention

43.70 ± 5.67

52.19 ± 5.38

42.16 ± 4.84

P = 0.000*

F = 32.048

anxiety immediately after the intervention

40.77 ± 6.74

54.25 ± 5.88

38.90 ± 5.25

P = 0.000*

F = 60.545

anxiety 30 min after intervention

46.12 ± 6.49

56.74 ± 5.33

43.87 ± 5.10

P = 0.000**

Df = 2