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Using an Interactive Video Simulator to Improve Certified Nursing Assistants' Dressing Assistance and Nursing Home
Pao-Feng Tsai1, Stephanie Kitch, Cornelia Beck
1Author Affiliations: College of Nursing (Drs Tsai and Kitch) and Department of Geriatrics, College of Medicine (Dr Beck), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock; InvoTek, Inc, Alma (Mr T. Jakobs, Mr E. Jakobs, and Mr Adair); Biostatistics Program, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock (Dr Rettiganti); and Department of Nursing, University of Central Arkansas, Conway (Dr Jordan), AR.
This study explored a computer simulation for nursing assistants caring for dementia residents. While results were not statistically significant, the simulation showed potential for improving dressing assistance and resident performance.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nursing Education
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Dementia care presents unique challenges for nursing staff, particularly in activities of daily living like dressing.
- Effective training for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is crucial for improving resident care quality and independence.
- Computer-based simulation offers a novel approach to skill development in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial effects and effect size of a computer-based simulation education program.
- To assess the impact on certified nursing assistants' (CNAs) level of assistance during resident dressing.
- To measure the effect on nursing home residents with dementia and their dressing performance.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving nine CNA-resident dyads, divided into experimental and control groups.
- The experimental group received traditional education plus a 2-hour computer simulation for practicing dressing assistance skills.
- Measurements of dressing assistance appropriateness and resident performance were taken pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found between groups in appropriate dressing assistance (P = .42) or resident dressing performance (P = .38).
- Potential explanations for non-significant findings include inconsistent participant effort and low statistical power.
- Estimated effect sizes for the simulation intervention were 0.69 for appropriate assistance and 0.89 for resident performance.
Conclusions:
- The computer-based simulation showed promising, albeit not statistically significant, effect sizes in improving dressing assistance and resident performance.
- Future research should incorporate strategies to enhance participant motivation and engagement.
- Simulation-based training holds potential for enhancing CNA skills in dementia care settings.
