Aged Simulation Suit Among Physiotherapy Students

NCT ID: NCT04603534

Last Updated: 2022-04-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 63 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2010-03-15
• Study Completion Date: 2020-12-18

Brief Summary

Turkey is the second fastest aging country in the world. According to the Turkey Statistical Institute's data, the distribution of the population aged 65 and over is expected to be 25.6% in 2080. Today, studies have been started to determine the empathy and attitudes of the young generation, especially the younger generation, towards older individuals and to develop them. In this context, it is thought that the simulation designed to simulate the aging process of human beings may have a positive effect on students' understanding of aging and perception of aging. In this study, the effect of aged simulation suit on empathy and attitudes towards elderly people will be determined in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation undergraduate students.

Detailed Description

Attitude is defined as a positive or negative assessment of people, objects or events that reflect one's knowledge, emotions, and behavior towards people, objects or events. Physical degeneration in the elderly can easily lead to prejudice or discrimination against older adults, especially in the younger generation. The younger generation sees older adults as a different group and labels them with negative traits. However, education has an important role in changing attitudes towards older people and developing professional cultures. In this context, the positive attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, etc.) starting from the pre-graduation period are of great importance for quality health services.

Empathy, which consists of emotional, cognitive, operational, and physiological behavior and reaction compounds, was mostly evaluated as a process of relationships and attitudes. Healthcare providers should be able to grasp patients' perspectives (cognitive empathy) and relate to their emotions and experiences (emotional empathy). It can be difficult to understand other people's perspectives, especially if they have not experienced disability due to aging or disease. It has been reported in the literature that health professionals lack empathy and understanding towards older individuals. It has been suggested that empathy in patient care can be developed at a basic level and through vocational education. Defining the attitudes of healthcare professionals and students and implementing new educational strategies that encourage positive attitudes towards the elderly while they are still students are important for increasing the quality of healthcare offered to the elderly and developing a positive attitude.

In medical and health sciences undergraduate education, there has been a lack of specific lessons on which directly focuses empathy, yet simulation-based modalities have been shown to be impacted on students' perceptions regarding attitude and empathy.

Thus, this study aims to assess the attitude and empathy level toward on elderly people among health sciences undergraduate students. The intervention which is mainly based upon wearing an aged simulation suit through some activities related to independent living and mobility has been planned to performed.

Conditions

Empathy; Attitude

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Intervention group

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Aged Simulation Suit

Intervention Type: OTHER

The aged simulation suit (Sakamoto Model M716, Tokyo, Japan) will be worn by students. The simulation suit consist of a several items such as loads, a soft material band with Velcro, glasses, ear plugs, gloves, belts and a cane. All the items are need to simulate one's posture just like in elderly person. Small, medium and large sizes of suits are provided by the company thereby each suit is suitable for each student related to their wearing size. Prior to this study, a total of three sets of suits will be gathered. Then, each student will perform each pre-defined scenarios step by step after the suit is worn. During the activities no help or leading will be given to the students. However, one of the researchers will supervise the students during the activities so that to integrate a safe platform. In addition, each student will be informed that if he/she can terminate the activity whenever it is required.

Interventions

Aged Simulation Suit

The aged simulation suit (Sakamoto Model M716, Tokyo, Japan) will be worn by students. The simulation suit consist of a several items such as loads, a soft material band with Velcro, glasses, ear plugs, gloves, belts and a cane. All the items are need to simulate one's posture just like in elderly person. Small, medium and large sizes of suits are provided by the company thereby each suit is suitable for each student related to their wearing size. Prior to this study, a total of three sets of suits will be gathered. Then, each student will perform each pre-defined scenarios step by step after the suit is worn. During the activities no help or leading will be given to the students. However, one of the researchers will supervise the students during the activities so that to integrate a safe platform. In addition, each student will be informed that if he/she can terminate the activity whenever it is required.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Being volunteer to participate

Exclusion Criteria

• Having an advanced visual and balance problems especially associated with inner ear

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 24 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Ege University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Izmir Bakircay University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Kadirhan Ozdemir, PT, PhD.

Head of Geriatric Rehabilitation Department

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Kadirhan Ozdemir

Izmir, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

2020/14

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id