Metaverse- and VR-Supported Education in a Digital Breastfeeding Museum: Long-Term Effects on Breastfeeding Process, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation

Summary

This randomized controlled prospective study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on the breastfeeding process, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding motivation, and breastfeeding-related problems in primiparous mothers. While the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported breastfeeding education in the digital breastfeeding museum, the control group received standard education provided in routine antenatal classes. The study population consisted of primiparous mothers who had participated in the previous randomized controlled study and voluntarily agreed to take part in this new prospective study. Participants were followed at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, the Breastfeeding Problems Assessment Scale, and a questionnaire form (including breastfeeding duration and other parameters). Assessments were conducted at the planned follow-up intervals.

Conditions

• Metaverse
• Virtual Reality
• Digital Museum
• Breastfeeding Education
• Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy
• Breastfeeding Duration
• Breastfeeding Motivation
• Breastfeeding Problems Assessment

Interventions

OTHER

Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group

In the previous randomized controlled study, pregnant women in this group received Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education in a digital breastfeeding museum. The sole intervention consisted of a digital breastfeeding education program delivered via virtual reality and Metaverse platforms. All content was provided exclusively through head-mounted VR devices, without the need for any pharmacological agents or invasive procedures. The environment was explored by participants using virtual reality (VR) headsets (Meta Quest 2). In the prospective follow-up study, no additional postnatal education was provided; only long-term follow-up data were collected at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months.

DEVICE

Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2)

A head-mounted virtual reality (VR) device used to deliver immersive educational content in a digital breastfeeding museum. Participants interacted with the virtual environment using VR headsets.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uludag University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Assistant Professor Ayşenur AKKAYA GÜL, PhD · Fenerbahce University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-15

Primary Completion

2026-03-27

Completion

2026-03-27

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations