Impact of a VR-Based Learning Tool on Nursing Students' Skills in Thorax and Lung Examination
NCT Number: NCT06536361
Status: COMPLETED
Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
Phases: NA
Conditions: Nurse's Role|Nurse-Patient Relations|Exanimation
Interventions: OTHER: Virtual Reality-Based Learning Tool|OTHER: Traditional Small Group Training
Sponsor: Gazi University
Sex: ALL
Age: CHILD, ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Enrollment: 76
Study Design: Allocation: RANDOMIZED|Intervention Model: PARALLEL|Masking: DOUBLE (PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES_ASSESSOR)|Primary Purpose: OTHER
Start Date: 2023-12-20
Completion Date: 2024-06-14
Locations: Gazi University Nursing Faculty, Ankara, 06500, Turkey

Summary:
Short Title: Impact of VR-Based Learning Tools on Nursing Students' Thoracic and Lung Examination Skills

Short Summary: This study evaluates the impact of a virtual reality (VR) based learning tool on nursing students' knowledge and skills in thoracic and lung physical examinations. Designed as a single-blind, pre-test-post-test, control group, parallel-group randomized controlled trial in accordance with SPIRIT 2013 guidelines, the study was conducted with 82 second-year nursing students from Gazi University, comprising 41 students in the experimental group and 41 in the control group. Initially, participants were informed about the study and received theoretical training during the first week. The second week included a review through demonstration videos, while the third week involved hands-on practice using high-fidelity simulators in a skills lab for auscultation and physical examination. The final exam was administered in the fifth week. Participants meeting eligibility criteria were stratified by gender and academic performance, then randomly assigned to groups by an independent statistician. Pre-reading materials were distributed one week before the intervention, followed by an evaluation of knowledge and skill levels. The experimental group underwent VR-based training, whereas the control group received traditional instruction. Final assessments of knowledge and skills were conducted one week post-training. Data collection included demographic forms, knowledge tests, skill assessments, and student feedback. Blinding was applied to evaluators, participants, and statisticians to minimize bias. Data analysis will employ statistical software, utilizing parametric tests for normally distributed data and non-parametric tests for non-normally distributed data.

Study Type: Interventional Study Design: Single-blind, pre-test-post-test, control group, parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Primary Outcomes:

Knowledge and skill levels (Measured by knowledge tests and skill assessment forms)

Secondary Outcomes:

Participant feedback on the VR-based learning tool (Assessed through student feedback forms)

Eligibility Criteria:

Second-year nursing students at Gazi University enrolled in the "Health Assessment" course, who have passed with at least a CC grade, have an academic success score between 2.00 and 4.00, are willing to participate, and do not have visual impairments affecting depth perception (e.g., amblyopia, anisometropia, strabismus).

Primary Outcome Measures: Knowledge Level of Thorax and Lung Physical Examination, This outcome measure assesses nursing students' theoretical understanding of thorax and lung physical examination procedures through a knowledge test. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating enhanced theoretical knowledge. The unit of measure is the score, which can range from 0 to 100 points., Knowledge levels will be evaluated seven days prior to the intervention (pre-test) and seven days following the intervention (post-test).|Skill Level in Thorax and Lung Physical Examination, This measure evaluates the practical application of thorax and lung physical examination techniques using a skill control form. Scores range from 0 to 96, with higher scores reflecting improved practical skills. The unit of measure is the score, which can range from 0 to 96 points., Skill levels will be assessed seven days before the intervention (pre-test) and seven days after the intervention (post-test).
Secondary Outcome Measures: Usability Feedback on the VR Tool, This measure collects feedback from the experimental group regarding the usability of the VR-based learning tool. Feedback will be gathered using a student opinion form featuring a 5-point Likert scale. The unit of measure is the Likert scale rating, which ranges from 1 to 5 points., Feedback will be collected immediately after the final skills measurement.|Applicability Feedback on the VR Tool, This measure gathers students' opinions on the applicability of the VR-based learning tool, including detailed feedback through open-ended questions. The same student opinion form used for usability feedback will be employed. The unit of measure includes both the Likert scale rating (1 to 5 points) and qualitative feedback., Feedback will be collected immediately after the final skills measurement.|Student Opinions on the VR-Based Learning Tool, This measure collects detailed feedback from students in the experimental group regarding the VR-based learning tool. Feedback is gathered through a section consisting of six open-ended questions. These questions are designed to elicit comprehensive insights into students' experiences, suggestions, and overall perceptions of the VR tool. The unit of measure includes qualitative data from the responses to the open-ended questions., Feedback will be collected immediately after the final skills measurement.