Managing Aggression: Effectiveness of Model-Based Standardized Patient Simulation

NCT07438340 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-19-379
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 56
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized patient simulation based on "The De-Escalation Model in Simple Form" on nursing students' perceptions of aggression and perceived learning outcomes. Encountering aggressive and violent patient behavior is a common and challenging experience for nursing students. Simulation-based education offers experiential learning opportunities that can enhance students' confidence and clinical decision-making skills. The study was designed using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. The quantitative component consists of a randomized controlled trial design in which participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Primary and secondary outcome measures related to aggression perception and perceived learning will be assessed post-test in both groups. The intervention group will receive training based on the De-Escalation Model in Simple Form, followed by participation in an aggression management simulation with a standard patient. After the simulation, qualitative data will be collected from participants in the intervention group to examine their experiences, perceptions, and reactions to the intervention and simulation process. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intervention's effectiveness and implementation process. The results of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based educational practices aimed at improving nursing students' skills in managing aggressive patient behavior.

Conditions

Aggression

Keywords

Aggression; Aggressive Patient; Aggression Management; De-Escalation Model in The Simple Form; Standardized Patient Simulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Perception of Aggression (Perception of Aggression Scale)

  The scale consists of 29 items and has two subscales: Functional (acceptable-healthy reaction) and Dysfunctional (unacceptable-undesirable aggression). The scale is a five-point Likert-type scale. A score between 29 and 145 is obtained from the entire scale. A high mean score on the functional subscale indicates that aggression is perceived as functional/acceptable, while a high mean score on the dysfunctional subscale indicates that aggression is perceived as dysfunctional/unacceptable.

  Baseline, immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Impact of aggression (Impact of Patient Aggression on Carers Scale)

  Baseline, immediately after the intervention

Other Outcomes (1)

• Perceived Learning (Perceived Learning Scale)

  Baseline, immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

Standardized Patient Simulation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group will receive a standardized, patient-centered simulation intervention focused on aggression management using the The De-Escalation Model in Simple Form. The simulation takes place in a nursing simulation laboratory and includes a trained, standardized patient who portrays an acutely agitated psychiatric patient. Nursing students are expected to assess environmental safety, recognize early signs of aggression, and apply the steps of The De-Escalation Model in Simple Form using therapeutic communication and tension-reducing strategies. The intervention includes a structured briefing, an active simulation scenario emphasizing non-physical calming strategies and therapeutic communication, and a facilitated debriefing session.

Behavioral: Standardized Patient Simulation Based on the De-Escalation Model in Simple Form

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control arm will receive standard theoretical instruction on aggression management as part of the regular Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing curriculum, without participation in a standardized patient simulation. No simulation-based or experiential intervention will be provided to this group during the study period.

Interventions

Standardized Patient Simulation Based on the De-Escalation Model in Simple Form BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consists of a standardized patient-based simulation designed to improve nursing students' aggression management skills using the De-Escalation Model. During the simulation, a trained standardized patient portrays an acutely agitated psychiatric patient in a simulated clinical environment. Nursing students are expected to assess environmental safety, recognize early warning signs of aggression, apply the steps of the De-Escalation Model (setting limits, clarifying the situation, and problem-solving), and use therapeutic communication techniques to de-escalate patient agitation. The simulation session includes a briefing, an active simulation scenario, and a facilitated debriefing session led by the research team.

Standardized Patient Simulation Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• being 18 years of age
• having taken and successfully passed the Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing course
• agreeing to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• refusing to participate in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yuksek Ihtisas University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Yuksek Ihtisas University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Tek Sevi̇ndi̇k S, Firat S, Inci̇ F. The effect of video assisted aggression assessment training on psychiatric nurses' aggression perceptions and violence risk assessments; A randomised controlled study. Nurse Educ Pract. 2026 Jan;90:104642. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104642. Epub 2025 Nov 13.

  PMID: 41242096 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Aggression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Social Behavior

Study Officials

• Reyhan DOĞAN

  Yuksek Ihtisas University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Reyhan Doğan, PhD, RN

CONTACT

+905078640408; reyhan.dgn8@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Psychiatric Nursing

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)