The Effectiveness of Virtual Patient Simulation Versus Peer Simulation in Providing Sexual Counseling During Pregnancy

NCT06949501 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 03.03.2025/05-87
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to compare, in a multidimensional manner, the effectiveness of different educational methods-virtual patient simulation and peer simulation-in improving sexual counseling skills during pregnancy among nursing faculty students. The study will evaluate three different training methods: virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment, and face-to-face peer simulation. To determine the effectiveness of peer simulation and virtual patient simulation in sexual health counseling, multimodal data collection and analysis methods will be used. These methods will contribute to the development of counseling skills by examining in detail the verbal and non-verbal communication elements exhibited by participants during their interactions with virtual patients and peers. Throughout the research process, students' demographic characteristics, sexual attitudes and beliefs, sexual counseling skills, learning satisfaction and self-confidence levels, opinions on system usability, eye-tracking data, and body movements will be analyzed.

Conditions

Pregnancy; Sexuality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs

  Students' sexual attitudes and beliefs will be assessed using the the sexual attitudes and belief survey. This scale is a six-point Likert-type scale, with scores ranging from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 72. Higher scores indicate more negative attitudes and beliefs toward sexual care.

  immediately before the training-immediately after the training

• Learning Satisfaction and Self-Confidence

  Learning satisfaction and self-confidence will be measured using the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale. This scale is a five-point Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Higher scores reflect greater student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning.

  immediately after the training

• Sexual Counseling Skills

  Students' sexual counseling skills will be assessed using the Sexual Counseling Skills Assessment Form. This form is developed based on the BETTER, PLISSIT, Ex-PLISSIT, and One-to-One models, and it covers the entire counseling process from initiation to conclusion. Each item is scored as 0 (not demonstrated) or 1 (demonstrated). The total score ranges from 0 to 34, with higher scores indicating a higher level of skill. The form will be completed while students simulate their counseling skills.

  During simulation

• System Usability Opinions

  Students' opinions regarding system usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The SUS is a 10-item instrument scored on a five-point Likert scale. Scores range from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate higher perceived usability of the system.

  immediately after the training

• Eye Tracking

  Eye tracking parameters in the study will be assessed using a wearable eye-tracking system. This device will analyze the areas of focus during students' interactions with virtual patients and peers. The analysis of gaze points and eye movements will help evaluate the distribution of attention during communication.

  During simulation

• Body Movements

  Body movements will be evaluated using a motion tracking device. These motion detection systems will analyze body language to assess participants' capacity to establish effective connections with virtual patients and peers. This method aims to evaluate participants' ability to use gestures and body language effectively to build strong relationships with patients.

  During simulation

Study Arms (3)

virtual patient simulation group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: virtual patient simulation

peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment

face-to-face peer simulation group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: face-to-face peer simulation

Interventions

virtual patient simulation OTHER

Students in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to a virtual patient model following theoretical training. In this context, a virtual patient model has been developed with whom the students will engage for the counseling process.

virtual patient simulation group

peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment OTHER

Students in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to their peers in a virtual environment following theoretical training. In the virtual peer simulation, students will see the same background displayed in the virtual patient simulation; however, instead of interacting with a virtual patient, they will connect with a peer via an online platform to conduct the counseling session.

peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment group

face-to-face peer simulation OTHER

Students in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to their peers following theoretical training. In the peer simulation, students will conduct their sessions in a communication skills laboratory designed to resemble a clinical consultation room.

face-to-face peer simulation group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Having the ability to provide care for pregnant women - Providing informed consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Having suspended enrollment or taken a leave of absence from education.
• Having received formal education aimed at developing sexual counseling skills.
• Wearing glasses (as it may interfere with the use of wearable eye-tracking systems).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara University: lead
• University of Delaware: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Ankara University Faculty of Nursing

Ankara, Altındağ, 06230, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sexuality

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sexual Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 22, 2025
• First Posted: April 29, 2025
• Study Start: April 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 27, 2025
• Study Completion: June 27, 2025
• Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)