Mixed Reality Training for Teaching Cervical Effacement and Dilation

NCT07238205 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MAU-Midwifery-UG-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this educational research is to determine whether a mixed reality-based training program is effective in teaching midwifery students how to assess cervical effacement and dilation. The study also examines the impact of mixed reality on students' cognitive load, sense of presence, and midwifery professional perception. The main questions the study seeks to answer are: Does mixed reality training reduce students' cognitive load? Does mixed reality increase the students' sense of presence? How does mixed reality-based training influence students' professional perception of midwifery? Do students who receive mixed reality training perform better in assessing cervical effacement and dilation on real pregnant women compared with the control group?

Conditions

Labor; Poor, Primary

Keywords

Cervical Dilatation; Labor; First Stage

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Accuracy of Cervical Dilation Measurement (cm)

  Accuracy of cervical dilation measurement will be assessed by calculating the absolute difference (in centimeters) between the student's measurement and the researcher's reference measurement. Each participant will perform one vaginal examination on five different pregnant women. The mean absolute difference across all five assessments will be reported as the participant's cervical dilation measurement accuracy. Smaller values indicate higher accuracy.

  4 month

• Accuracy of Cervical Effacement Measurement (%)

  Cervical effacement accuracy will be assessed by calculating the absolute difference (in percentage points) between the student's effacement measurement and the researcher's reference measurement. Each participant will perform one vaginal examination on five different pregnant women. The mean absolute difference across all five assessments will be reported as the participant's cervical effacement measurement accuracy. Smaller values indicate higher accuracy.

  4 month

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Assessment of Cognitive Load

  4 months

• Assessment of Presence Experience

  Immediately after MR training (within 1 day)

• Assessment of Midwifery Professional Perception

  4 months

Study Arms (2)

Mixed Reality Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Students will participate in a mixed reality (MR)-based training program.

Other: mixed reality education

Standard Education Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Students in the control group will receive traditional theoretical instruction.

Other: Standard Education Group

Interventions

mixed reality education OTHER

Students will participate in a mixed reality (MR)-based training program. The program is designed to teach cervical effacement and dilation assessment. During the training, students will interact with three-dimensional virtual cervical models. They will be able to practice repeatedly in a safe, error-free environment to enhance their clinical skills. After completing MR training, students will perform vaginal examinations on 10 virtual patient scenarios. The accuracy of each assessment will be automatically evaluated by the system. Following MR training, students will conduct vaginal examinations on five pregnant women under researcher supervision in a real clinical setting. The following scales will be administered to participants: Cognitive Load Scale Sense of Presence Scale Midwifery Professional Perception Scale These measures will be used to determine the cognitive and professional effects of MR-based learning.

Mixed Reality Training Group

Standard Education Group OTHER

Students in the control group will receive traditional theoretical instruction. The training content will cover the principles of cervical effacement and dilation assessment. After completing the theoretical training, students will complete the Cognitive Load Scale and the Midwifery Professional Perception Scale. Under researcher supervision, students will perform vaginal examinations on five pregnant women to assess cervical effacement and dilation. These evaluations will be used to examine the effects of traditional training on students' cognitive load, professional perception, and practical assessment skills.

Standard Education Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Months - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Enrolled in the Midwifery Department at Mardin Artuklu University,
• Taking the course "Normal Birth and Postpartum Care,"
• Who have not previously received any structured training (practical training, simulation, etc.) related to vaginal examination or cervical dilation/effacement procedures,
• Who do not feel confident in assessing cervical effacement and dilation,
• Who volunteer to participate in the study will be included,
• Pregnant women who are in the first stage of labor and have no obstetric complications.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who are graduates of health vocational high schools,
• Have disabilities in their eyes, hands, arms, or fingers,
• Those who do not complete the training will not be included.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mardin Artuklu University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mardin Training and Research Hospital

Mardin, 47200, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Ülkin Gündüz Aruser, Ph.D

  Mardin Artuklu University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Hacer Ünver Koca, Assoc. Prof.

  Inonu University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Ülkin Gündüz Aruser, Ph.D

CONTACT

+905314592113; ulkingunduz@artuklu.edu.tr

Hacer Ünver Koca, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

+905446799899; hacer.unver@inonu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants were blinded to group allocation, and the outcomes assessor was blinded to the intervention received by each participant to prevent assessment bias.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Model Details: Randomized, parallel-group controlled trial including an intervention group receiving mixed reality training and a control group receiving standard education.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2025
• First Posted: November 20, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)