Virtual Reality to Reduce Stress Among Nursing Students Before Final Exams

NCT07574203 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UBisha
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a brief virtual reality (VR) relaxation session can reduce pre-exam stress levels among undergraduate nursing students enrolled in nursing courses. The participant population includes male and female nursing students, aged 20-26 years, who are preparing to take their final practical exam. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Complete a brief pre-intervention stress survey (e.g., using a validated scale such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory).
• Explore several calming VR environments (e.g., tropical beaches, islands, deep ocean, space, savanna, and tourist destinations).
• Choose one preferred scene based on personal relaxation preference.
• Engage in a 10-minute immersive VR relaxation session.
• Complete a post-intervention stress survey to assess any changes.

Conditions

Stress (Psychology); Anxiety and Fear; Student Nursing; Education Nursing; Virtual Reality; Relaxation Therapy

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Stress Reduction; Nursing Students; Exam Anxiety; Nursing Education; Technology in Education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Perceived Stress

  Perceived stress will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. The outcome will be evaluated immediately before and immediately after the 10-minute virtual reality relaxation session on the day of the final practical exam.

  Immediately before and immediately after the 10-minute VR session on the day of the final practical exam.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Test Anxiety Measured by the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI)

  Immediately before and immediately after the VR session on the day of the final practical exam.

• Participant Satisfaction with the VR Relaxation Intervention Measured by a Structured Questionnaire

  Immediately after completion of the VR session.

Other Outcomes (1)

• VR Tolerability Assessed by the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ)

  Immediately after completion of the VR session.

Study Arms (2)

VR Relaxation Intervention for Exam Stress Reduction in Nursing Students

EXPERIMENTAL

In this arm, participants will explore a range of immersive virtual environments-including beaches, islands, deep ocean, savanna, space, and popular tourist destinations-using a VR headset. After previewing the scenes, each participant will select the environment they find most relaxing and engage in a 10-minute guided VR session prior to their final practical exam in the Critical Care Nursing course. The intervention is designed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support emotional well-being immediately before high-stakes assessment.

Device: Self-Selected Virtual Reality Relaxation Session

Control Group - No VR Intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm will not receive any virtual reality intervention prior to the final practical exam in the Critical Care Nursing course. They will follow the standard pre-exam routine without exposure to VR or other structured relaxation methods. Pre- and post-intervention surveys will still be administered to assess baseline and post-exam stress levels for comparison with the intervention group.

Interventions

Self-Selected Virtual Reality Relaxation Session DEVICE

This intervention is distinguished by allowing participants to preview and personally select from multiple immersive virtual environments tailored to promote relaxation, followed by a standardized 10-minute VR session conducted immediately before a high-stakes clinical exam, specifically targeting stress reduction in nursing students preparing for their final practical assessment in Critical Care Nursing.

Also known as: virtual reality

VR Relaxation Intervention for Exam Stress Reduction in Nursing Students

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Critical Care Nursing course at the University of Bisha.
• Both male and female students aged 20 and above.
• Scheduled to take the final practical exam during the study period.
• Able and willing to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of severe motion sickness, vertigo, or epilepsy triggered by visual stimuli.
• Current diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., psychosis, major depressive disorder) that could interfere with participation.
• Visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments that prevent effective use of VR equipment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bisha: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Bisha

Riyadh, 61922, Saudi Arabia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: the study employed a single-blind design in which the research assistants responsible for administering pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and data entry were blinded to group allocation. In addition, all datasets were coded prior to analysis, and the data analyst was blinded to group assignment.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Mohammed Alanazi, PhD, MSN, RN

Model Details: This interventional study uses a parallel assignment model with randomized allocation and no masking, comparing a 10-minute self-selected VR relaxation session to no intervention in reducing pre-exam stress among undergraduate nursing students.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2025
• First Posted: May 7, 2026
• Study Start: July 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 15, 2025
• Study Completion: January 15, 2026
• Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)