VR Episiotomy Simulation: Impact on Midwifery Students' Skills and Self-Efficacy (VESES)

NCT07235800 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 2025/17627TDK-2020-2165
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 87
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to develop and evaluate a virtual reality (VR)-based episiotomy training simulation for midwifery students. Episiotomy is a surgical procedure performed during childbirth, and incorrect application may lead to serious psychological and physiological consequences. While traditional training methods often use animal tissues or synthetic materials, recent advances in technology have introduced simulation-based learning. VR technology has shown potential to enhance learning outcomes, confidence, and satisfaction among healthcare students. Despite its growing use in medical education, there is currently no VR training model specifically designed for teaching episiotomy skills. This study will design a VR episiotomy simulation, assess its effectiveness in skill acquisition and learning, and propose it as a new educational method in midwifery training.

Conditions

Use of Virtual Reality Simulation in Midwifery Training

Keywords

Midwifery Virtual Reality Simulation Episiotomy Learning Process

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Episiotomy Self-Efficacy Score

  Participants' episiotomy-related self-efficacy will be assessed using the Episiotomy Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (EBÖÖ), a validated 19-item Likert-type instrument. Each item is scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree), with total scores ranging from 19 to 76. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy.

  Baseline (before training), immediately after training, and 1 month after training

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Episiotomy Skill Performance Score

  Immediately after training

• Student Satisfaction with Training Method

  Immediately after training and 1 month after training

Study Arms (2)

VR Simulation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive episiotomy skills training using a virtual reality (VR) simulation environment. The training will include a theoretical session followed by hands-on practice in a simulated virtual birth room using VR equipment.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Simulation Training

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive episiotomy skills training using traditional silicone-based episiotomy mannequins. The training includes the same theoretical content as the intervention group, followed by hands-on practice using anatomical models.

Behavioral: Traditional Episiotomy Training

Interventions

Virtual Reality Simulation Training BEHAVIORAL

This intervention is a virtual reality (VR)-based episiotomy simulation designed for midwifery students. The training is conducted in an immersive virtual delivery room, where participants perform the steps of episiotomy incision and suturing using VR headsets, motion sensors, and hand controllers. The simulation includes virtual surgical tools and interactive elements that replicate a clinical environment. This VR-based training differs from traditional model-based education by providing a more engaging and realistic experience, aiming to improve students' psychomotor skills and self-efficacy in performing episiotomy.

Also known as: VR Episiotomy Simulation, Virtual Reality-Based Episiotomy Training, VR Episiotomy Skills Training

VR Simulation Group

Traditional Episiotomy Training BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of a traditional episiotomy training session using physical anatomical models (manikins) in a classroom environment. The training includes hands-on practice of episiotomy incision and suturing on silicone-based or synthetic perineal models, supervised by the instructor. This method reflects standard educational practices in midwifery training and does not involve virtual reality or simulation technology.

Also known as: Conventional Episiotomy Education, Episiotomy Model Training

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Able to speak and understand Turkish
• Have not received previous episiotomy training
• No medical conditions preventing the use of virtual reality (e.g., epilepsy)
• Enrolled as a third-year midwifery student at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Health Sciences

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who do not speak or understand Turkish
• Those who have previously received episiotomy training
• Participants with medical conditions contraindicating the use of virtual reality (e.g., epilepsy)
• Not enrolled as a third-year midwifery student at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Health Sciences

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yuzuncu Yil University: lead
• Inonu University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Health Sciences

Van, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

Study Officials

• Sibel AKGÜL KARTAL, Lecturer

  Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Health Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Tuba Uçar, Professor

CONTACT

+90 536 761 80 76; tubaucar@inonu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: No blinding (masking) was applied in this study. Participants were unaware of their group allocation only during the initial training session, but by the time of the one-month follow-up data collection, they were aware of their group assignment. Instructors and outcome assessors were aware of group assignments throughout the study."
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to either the virtual reality simulation group or the traditional mannequin training group. Both groups receive the same theoretical education, followed by their respective practical training interventions in parallel.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: November 19, 2025
• Study Start: December 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 22, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Locations

TU (1)