The Impact of Interactive Virtual Reality Training Using Haptic Gloves on Intensive Care Nurses' Aspiration Skills and Care Behaviors

NCT ID: NCT07322536

Last Updated: 2026-01-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-11-21
• Study Completion Date: 2025-02-21

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of haptic glove-based virtual reality (VR) training on the aspiration skills and caregiving behaviors of intensive care nurses. A total of 60 nurses were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving VR simulation supported by haptic gloves or a control group receiving standard mannequin-based training. Data were collected using the Nurse Information Form, Aspiration Skill Checklist, and Caregiving Behavior Scale. While VR training was effective in supporting aspiration skill development, no statistically significant differences were found between groups in total caregiving behavior scores or its subdimensions. These findings suggest that although VR and haptic technologies are valuable for enhancing technical skills, improvements in caregiving behaviors may require longer-term or repeated educational interventions.

Detailed Description

Aspiration is a fundamental nursing intervention in intensive care units and requires advanced psychomotor skills, strict adherence to infection control principles, and consistent caregiving behaviors. Conventional training methods, such as mannequin-based demonstrations, may be limited in providing sufficient hands-on practice and realistic feedback, particularly for complex clinical procedures. Recent advances in virtual reality (VR) technology, especially systems supported by haptic gloves, offer immersive learning environments that enable repeated practice with real-time tactile feedback, potentially enhancing clinical skill acquisition.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of haptic glove-based virtual reality training on the aspiration skills and caregiving behaviors of intensive care nurses. The study was carried out between November 2024 and January 2025 in the adult intensive care, coronary intensive care, and neonatal intensive care units of a foundation university hospital.

A total of 60 intensive care nurses were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The control group received standard aspiration training using mannequin-based demonstration, while the experimental group participated in an interactive virtual reality simulation supported by haptic gloves. The VR training allowed participants to perform aspiration procedures in a simulated intensive care environment with tactile feedback, emphasizing correct procedural steps, patient safety, and evidence-based care principles.

Data were collected through face-to-face surveys using the Nurse Information Form, the Aspiration Skill Checklist, and the Caregiving Behavior Scale. Aspiration skills and caregiving behaviors were assessed before and after the training interventions. The primary outcomes of the study were aspiration skill performance and caregiving behavior scores, including the subdimensions of assurance, knowledge-skill, respectfulness, and commitment.

The findings demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in total caregiving behavior scores or in any of the caregiving behavior subdimensions. While VR-based training did not show a direct effect on caregiving behaviors, previous evidence suggests that VR and haptic technologies are particularly effective in improving technical and psychomotor skills. Behavioral and attitudinal changes may require longer-term or repeated training interventions.

The results of this study are expected to contribute to the growing body of evidence on technology-enhanced learning in nursing education and to inform the integration of haptic glove-supported virtual reality applications into intensive care nursing skills training programs.

Conditions

Nursing Caries; Intensive Care Nursing; Aspiration; Virtual Reality

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Experimental Group

The nurses used haptic glove-assisted virtual reality simulation technology under the guidance of the researcher. The practice and evaluation procedures were carried out in the same manner as in the control group, including individual sessions, checklist-based assessment, a debriefing session, and the post-test administered two weeks later.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Haptic Glove-Based Virtual Reality Training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Interactive VR simulation supported by haptic gloves for aspiration training.

Control Group

The nurses watched a demonstration video and practiced the procedure individually in the skills laboratory. Each nurse's performance was evaluated by the researcher using the Aspiration Skill Checklist. A debriefing session was then conducted, and the knowledge test was re-administered two weeks later.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Haptic Glove-Based Virtual Reality Training

Interactive VR simulation supported by haptic gloves for aspiration training.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

-

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Ela YILMAZ COŞKUN

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ela YILMAZ COŞKUN

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Hamiyet KIZIL, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hamidiye Faculty Nursing

Locations

İstanbul Beykent University Hospital

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

168264

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id