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Virtual Reality Versus Computer-Based Simulation in Electrocardiogram Education

NCT07468942 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 90

Last updated 2026-03-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation and computer-based simulation (CBS) with traditional laboratory practice on electrocardiogram (ECG) knowledge, practical skills, and motivation in first-year undergraduate nursing students. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does VR simulation improve ECG knowledge scores more than CBS and traditional laboratory practice? Does VR simulation improve ECG practical skill scores more than CBS and traditional laboratory practice? Does VR simulation improve learner motivation more than CBS and traditional laboratory practice?

Researchers will compare three groups - VR simulation, computer-based simulation, and traditional laboratory practice - to see which method is most effective for ECG education outcomes.

Participants will:

Attend a standardized 90-minute ECG lecture before the intervention Be randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR simulation, computer-based simulation, or traditional laboratory practice Complete a 90-minute educational intervention according to their assigned group Complete knowledge, skills, and motivation assessments before and one week after the intervention

Conditions

  • Nursing Education

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation

Participants wore an Oculus Quest 2 (128GB) all-in-one VR headset with integrated touch controllers for a 90-minute session. Unlike screen-based approaches, this intervention provided full sensory immersion and hand-tracking interactions, enabling participants to physically simulate ECG procedures - including patient preparation, electrode placement, device operation, and rhythm strip interpretation - within a three-dimensional virtual clinical environment. The embodied, sensorimotor engagement distinguishes this intervention from both computer-based and traditional modalities.

BEHAVIORAL

Computer-Based Simulation

ECG training program on standard computer screens. The program was developed by the research team with technical support from computer engineering specialists and covered ECG physiology modules, rhythm recognition scenarios, and nursing care protocols. Content validity was established by three medical-surgical nursing faculty. Unlike immersive VR, this intervention provides visual interactivity without kinesthetic or sensorimotor engagement. Unlike traditional practice, it offers structured digital feedback and repeated scenario exposure.

BEHAVIORAL

Traditional Laboratory Practice

manikin-based ECG skills session with verbal instruction delivered by the same instructor across all control group participants, following the standard nursing skills laboratory curriculum. This intervention represents the conventional teaching approach without digital simulation, interactive feedback loops, or immersive technology, serving as the active control condition.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Koç University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-09-01
Primary Completion
2022-12-01
Completion
2023-02-01

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07468942 on ClinicalTrials.gov