Effects of an Aging Simulation Suit on Clinical Empathy in Healthcare Professionals Working in Long-Term Care

NCT07280689 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2711201916919
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 82
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of using an aging simulation suit on empathy levels among healthcare professionals working in long-term care facilities. A total of 82 participants from four nursing homes in Madrid and Asturias were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received a theoretical session on aging and empathy, followed by an immersive experience using the GERT aging simulation suit, which replicates age-related physical and sensory limitations. The control group attended only the theoretical session. Empathy was assessed before and after the intervention using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy - Health Professions version (JSPE-HPS). Results showed significant improvements in the JSPE-HPS total score and in its Perspective Taking and Compassionate Care dimensions in the experimental group, indicating that the immersive experience enhanced both cognitive and affective components of clinical empathy. No significant changes were observed in the IRI scores. These findings suggest that experiential learning through aging simulation can effectively strengthen empathy in active healthcare professionals, promoting more person-centered and compassionate care for older adults in long-term care settings.

Conditions

Aging; Empathy Skills

Keywords

Clinical empathy; GERT suit; randomized controlled trial; Healthcare professionals; Aging simulation suit

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in total score on the Jefferson Scale of Empathy - Health Professions version (JSPE-HPS)

  Mean difference in total Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy - Health Professional Student version (JSPE-HPS) score between baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention for each study group. The JSPE-HPS measures clinical empathy in healthcare professionals and consists of 20 items, with total scores ranging from 20 to 140; higher scores indicate higher empathy (better outcome). The primary analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA to examine time effects and the group × time interaction.

  Pre-intervention (baseline) and immediately post-intervention (same day)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Perspective Taking subscale of the JSPE-HPS

  Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (same day)

• Change in Compassionate Care subscale of the JSPE-HPS

  Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (same day)

• Change in Standing in the Patient's Shoes subscale of the JSPE-HPS

  Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (same day)

• Change in total score on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)

  Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (same day)

• Change in IRI subscale scores (Perspective Taking, Fantasy, Empathic Concern, Personal Distress)

  Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (same day)

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: Aging Simulation Suit + Educational Session

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a theoretical session on aging, functional limitations, and empathy in healthcare, followed by an immersive experience using the GERT aging simulation suit. The suit replicates the physical and sensory limitations of aging, allowing participants to perform everyday tasks while experiencing the challenges faced by older adults.

Behavioral: Experimental: Aging Simulation Suit + Educational Session; Behavioral: Control: Educational Session Only

Control: Educational Session Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received the same theoretical session on aging, functional limitations, and empathy in healthcare as the experimental group, but did not use the aging simulation suit.

Behavioral: Control: Educational Session Only

Interventions

Experimental: Aging Simulation Suit + Educational Session BEHAVIORAL

Immersive training session using the GERT aging simulation suit (Niederstotzingen, Germany), designed to reproduce age-related physical and sensory limitations. Participants performed common daily activities (e.g., walking, climbing stairs, dressing, interacting with others) while wearing the suit to experience the physical challenges of aging. This activity was followed by a short debriefing and group reflection aimed at enhancing empathy and awareness toward older adults.

Experimental: Aging Simulation Suit + Educational Session

Control: Educational Session Only BEHAVIORAL

A structured theoretical session covering topics such as aging processes, functional limitations, and the importance of empathy in healthcare and long-term care contexts. Delivered to all participants in both study arms, serving as the baseline educational component for the control and experimental groups.

Control: Educational Session Only; Experimental: Aging Simulation Suit + Educational Session

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Healthcare professional (nurse, nursing assistant, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, physician, psychologist, or social worker).
• Currently working in a long-term care or nursing home facility with direct contact with residents.
• Willing to participate voluntarily during working hours.
• Signed written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Failure to provide written informed consent.
• No direct patient contact with older adults.
• Any physical or cognitive limitation that would prevent safe participation in the aging simulation experience.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Rey Juan Carlos: lead
• Participating Nursing Homes in Madrid and Asturias, Spain: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Alcorcón, Madrid, 28922, Spain

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Lee K, Han A, Kim TH. Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Empathy Enhancement Program for Caregivers (SEE-C) Evaluated by Older Adults Receiving Care. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 23;18(15):7802. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157802.

  PMID: 34360095 RESULT

• Pira GL, Ruini C, Vescovelli F, Banos R, Ventura S. Could Empathy Be Taught? The Role of Advanced Technologies to Foster Empathy in Medical Students and Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review. J Med Syst. 2025 Jan 14;49(1):6. doi: 10.1007/s10916-025-02144-9.

  PMID: 39806022 RESULT

• Ebm C, Sarti R, Panico P, Pagliotta M, Vinci V, Oldani S. Enhancing compassion in medical education - a comparative study of the efficacy of clinical clerkships versus simulation-based training methodologies. BMC Med Educ. 2025 Feb 4;25(1):181. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-06687-w.

  PMID: 39905468 RESULT

• Halton C, Cartwright T. Walking in a Patient's Shoes: An Evaluation Study of Immersive Learning Using a Digital Training Intervention. Front Psychol. 2018 Nov 12;9:2124. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02124. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 30483174 RESULT

Study Officials

• Rosa María Martínez Piédrola, PhD

  Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the educational intervention, neither participants nor investigators were blinded to group assignment
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a control group that received a theoretical educational session on aging and empathy, and an experimental group that received the same session plus an immersive experience using an aging simulation suit.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2025
• First Posted: December 12, 2025
• Study Start: January 30, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 30, 2024
• Study Completion: September 30, 2024
• Last Updated: December 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)