Virtual Reality Versus Computer-Based Simulation in Electrocardiogram Education

NCT07468942 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: E-10420511-050-15749
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation and computer-based simulation (CBS) with traditional laboratory practice on electrocardiogram (ECG) knowledge, practical skills, and motivation in first-year undergraduate nursing students. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does VR simulation improve ECG knowledge scores more than CBS and traditional laboratory practice? Does VR simulation improve ECG practical skill scores more than CBS and traditional laboratory practice? Does VR simulation improve learner motivation more than CBS and traditional laboratory practice? Researchers will compare three groups - VR simulation, computer-based simulation, and traditional laboratory practice - to see which method is most effective for ECG education outcomes. Participants will: Attend a standardized 90-minute ECG lecture before the intervention Be randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR simulation, computer-based simulation, or traditional laboratory practice Complete a 90-minute educational intervention according to their assigned group Complete knowledge, skills, and motivation assessments before and one week after the intervention

Conditions

Nursing Education

Keywords

Electrocardiogram; Nursing students; virtual reality; nursing education; simulation; Computer-Based Simulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• ECG Knowledge Score

  Measured using a researcher-developed multiple-choice ECG Knowledge Test covering ECG physiology, rhythm recognition, and interpretation. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge.

  two week after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• ECG Practical Skill Score

  Two week after intervention

Other Outcomes (1)

• Learner Motivation

  two week after intervention

Study Arms (3)

Virtual Reality Simulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants used an Oculus Quest 2 all-in-one headset with integrated touch controllers to perform three-dimensional ECG scenarios in an immersive virtual environment. The intervention simulated real ECG procedural movements, including patient preparation, electrode placement, and device operation.

Behavioral: Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation

Computer-Based Simulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed interactive ECG training modules on computer screens. The program covered ECG physiology, rhythm recognition scenarios, and nursing care protocols, developed with technical support from computer engineering specialists and validated by three medical-surgical nursing faculty.

Behavioral: Computer-Based Simulation

Traditional Laboratory Practice

OTHER

Participants practiced ECG skills on manikins with verbal instruction from the same instructor, following the standard laboratory curriculum.

Behavioral: Traditional Laboratory Practice

Interventions

Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation BEHAVIORAL

Participants wore an Oculus Quest 2 (128GB) all-in-one VR headset with integrated touch controllers for a 90-minute session. Unlike screen-based approaches, this intervention provided full sensory immersion and hand-tracking interactions, enabling participants to physically simulate ECG procedures - including patient preparation, electrode placement, device operation, and rhythm strip interpretation - within a three-dimensional virtual clinical environment. The embodied, sensorimotor engagement distinguishes this intervention from both computer-based and traditional modalities.

Virtual Reality Simulation

Computer-Based Simulation BEHAVIORAL

ECG training program on standard computer screens. The program was developed by the research team with technical support from computer engineering specialists and covered ECG physiology modules, rhythm recognition scenarios, and nursing care protocols. Content validity was established by three medical-surgical nursing faculty. Unlike immersive VR, this intervention provides visual interactivity without kinesthetic or sensorimotor engagement. Unlike traditional practice, it offers structured digital feedback and repeated scenario exposure.

Computer-Based Simulation

Traditional Laboratory Practice BEHAVIORAL

manikin-based ECG skills session with verbal instruction delivered by the same instructor across all control group participants, following the standard nursing skills laboratory curriculum. This intervention represents the conventional teaching approach without digital simulation, interactive feedback loops, or immersive technology, serving as the active control condition.

Traditional Laboratory Practice

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• First-year undergraduate nursing student enrollment
• Voluntary participation
• No prior ECG simulation training experience
• No visual impairment

You may not qualify if:

• Prior ECG simulation training experience
• Visual impairment
• Unwillingness to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Koç University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Koç University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Three parallel arms with no crossover: VR simulation, computer-based simulation, and traditional laboratory practice.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 9, 2026
• First Posted: March 13, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2022
• Study Completion: February 1, 2023
• Last Updated: March 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)