Comparing Virtual Reality Simulation to High Fidelity Simulation as an Educational Modality for Electroconvulsive Therapy Training: A Non-Inferiority Study

Summary

The goal of this prospective, open-label non-inferiority randomized controlled trial is to investigate if Virtual Reality (VR) based simulation are an effective training tool for novice medical trainees. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is the VR-based electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) training program non-inferior to traditional, mannequin-based ECT training programs in fostering ECT skill acquisition?
* What are the changes in confidence in administering ECT, as well as number of training repetitions completed in the VR and mannequin training groups?
* What is the ease of use of the VR-based ECT training program? Researchers will compare the VR-based ECT training program to a mannequin-based ECT training program to see if the VR-based ECT training program is comparable to traditional methods at training for ECT.

Participants will:

* Complete an ECT skills assessment at the beginning and end of the study session.
* Watch a 30-minute didactic ECT lecture video.
* Be randomized to either the VR ECT simulation group or the mannequin ECT simulation group and be given 30 minutes to practice ECT administration with their assigned education tool.

Conditions

• Education, Medical, Undergraduate
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Virtual Reality Simulation

Interventions

OTHER

Virtual Reality electroconvulsive therapy simulator

A virtual reality (VR)-based simulator for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice. Users will go through tutorials on how to use the VR equipment and be guided through an ECT tutorial, then they can practice ECT with no guidance at 3 distinct difficulty levels. Level 1 of the simulator will contain ECT scenarios with very few patient conditions that need additional consideration. Level 2 will contain more patient conditions that need additional consideration, as well as a chance for adverse events to occur during treatment. Level 3 will contain many patient conditions that require the user to consider when deciding how to provide ECT, as well as a high chance of adverse events occurring. Users will be shown how well they did after completing a run of a scenario.

OTHER

Mannequin Simulator

A mannequin that users can use to practice electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) administration on. Users will be provided a mannequin and ECT equipment, as well as a scenario check-list to go through.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Fahad Dr. Alam, MD, FRCPC, MHSc · Sunnybrook Research Institute

• Peter Giacobbe, MD, MSc, FRCPC · Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-05

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2027-06-01

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations