Effect of Simulation-Based Vaginal Examination Training on Anxiety, Confidence, and Skills in Midwifery Students

NCT07535255 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OMÜ-KAEK-2022/296
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 67
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of simulation-based vaginal examination training on skill performance, anxiety, and satisfaction in third-year midwifery students at a state university in Turkey. A total of 67 students participated (32 in the clinical group, 35 in the laboratory group). Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, Vaginal Examination Skills Assessment Form, State Anxiety Scale, and Learning Satisfaction \& Self-Confidence Scale. Results showed that simulation training significantly reduced students' state anxiety in both clinical and laboratory groups (p\<0.001). Laboratory group students demonstrated significant improvements in satisfaction and self-confidence (p\<0.05), while clinical group students achieved significantly higher vaginal examination skill scores compared to the laboratory group (p\<0.001). No significant correlations were found between anxiety levels and satisfaction or self-confidence scores. These findings suggest that simulation-based training effectively decreases anxiety and enhances confidence, but clinical practice is necessary to maximize technical skill acquisition. The study supports integrating simulation exercises with clinical rotations in midwifery curricula to optimize learning outcomes.

Conditions

Simulation-based Midwifery Education

Keywords

Vaginal examination, Simulation training, Learning environment, Skill, Anxiety, Satisfaction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Vaginal Examination Skills Assessment Form

  The Vaginal Examination Skills Assessment Form is an observational tool consisting of 20 items designed to evaluate students' skills in performing vaginal examinations on a simulator in a laboratory setting. The form includes procedural steps required during the vaginal examination. Each item is scored dichotomously based on the student's performance as "performed" (5 points) or "not performed" (0 points). The total score reflects the student's level of vaginal examination skill, with higher scores indicating better performance

  At the time of vaginal examination performance (during the simulation session)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• State Anxiety Inventory (SAI)

  "Before and immediately after the simulation-based training"

• Simulation-Based Learning Evaluation Scale

  Immediately after the simulation-based training

Study Arms (2)

Clinical Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Students performed vaginal examination training in a real clinical setting

Other: The group experiencing vaginal examination practice in a real clinical setting

Laboratory Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Students practiced vaginal examination training in a simulation laboratory environment

Other: Educational

Interventions

Educational OTHER

Simulation-based vaginal examination training

Laboratory Group

The group experiencing vaginal examination practice in a real clinical setting OTHER

The group experiencing vaginal examination practice in a real clinical setting

Clinical Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being enrolled for the first time in the Normal Birth and Postpartum Period course during the 2022-2023 academic year,
• Having no prior experience in performing vaginal examination,
• Being a third-year midwifery student,
• Volunteering to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Students who were not in their third year,
• Students who did not agree to participate or were not volunteers,
• Students who withdrew from the study during the data collection process.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ondokuz Mayıs University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University

Samsun, Samsun, 55200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Personal Satisfaction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavior

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: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a clinical group, where students performed vaginal examination training in a real clinical setting, and a laboratory group, where students practiced in a simulation laboratory environment. Both groups received the same simulation-based training, and pre- and post-intervention measures of anxiety, skill performance, satisfaction, and self-confidence were collected.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 6, 2026
• First Posted: April 17, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2023
• Study Completion: December 1, 2023
• Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)