Effects of an Aging Simulation Suit on Clinical Empathy in Healthcare Professionals Working in Long-Term Care

Summary

This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of using an aging simulation suit on empathy levels among healthcare professionals working in long-term care facilities. A total of 82 participants from four nursing homes in Madrid and Asturias were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a theoretical session on aging and empathy, followed by an immersive experience using the GERT aging simulation suit, which replicates age-related physical and sensory limitations. The control group attended only the theoretical session.

Empathy was assessed before and after the intervention using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy - Health Professions version (JSPE-HPS). Results showed significant improvements in the JSPE-HPS total score and in its Perspective Taking and Compassionate Care dimensions in the experimental group, indicating that the immersive experience enhanced both cognitive and affective components of clinical empathy. No significant changes were observed in the IRI scores.

These findings suggest that experiential learning through aging simulation can effectively strengthen empathy in active healthcare professionals, promoting more person-centered and compassionate care for older adults in long-term care settings.

Conditions

• Aging
• Empathy Skills

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Experimental: Aging Simulation Suit + Educational Session

Immersive training session using the GERT aging simulation suit (Niederstotzingen, Germany), designed to reproduce age-related physical and sensory limitations. Participants performed common daily activities (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, dressing, interacting with others) while wearing the suit to experience the physical challenges of aging. This activity was followed by a short debriefing and group reflection aimed at enhancing empathy and awareness toward older adults.

BEHAVIORAL

Control: Educational Session Only

A structured theoretical session covering topics such as aging processes, functional limitations, and the importance of empathy in healthcare and long-term care contexts. Delivered to all participants in both study arms, serving as the baseline educational component for the control and experimental groups.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Participating Nursing Homes in Madrid and Asturias, Spain

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rosa María Martínez Piédrola, PhD · Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-01-30

Primary Completion

2024-07-30

Completion

2024-09-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations