Effectiveness of mixed reality-based intubation nursing simulation: A randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Simulation
• Mixed Reality Technology

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing curricula often lack structured training in intubation nursing, a critical skill for patient safety.
• Mixed reality (MR) simulation presents an immersive and clinically relevant environment to bridge this educational gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of MR-based intubation nursing (MRIN) simulation in enhancing nursing students' competency.
• To evaluate the impact of MRIN simulation on performance, knowledge, satisfaction, and readiness for practice.

Main Methods:

• A parallel, triple-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial involving 92 nursing students.
• Participants were allocated to either an experimental group (EG) using MRIN simulation or a control group (CG) using conventional methods.
• Data were collected and analyzed to compare outcomes between the two groups.

Main Results:

• The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher intubation-nursing performance (effect size [ES] = 0.65) and satisfaction (ES = 0.24).
• Both groups showed increased knowledge and readiness for practice, with the EG exhibiting a greater median change in practice readiness (ES = 0.24).
• Learning self-efficacy significantly improved within the EG.

Conclusions:

• The MRIN program effectively enhanced nursing students' performance and readiness for practice compared to traditional simulation methods.
• The study acknowledges that the observed effect size may be influenced by additional contact time in the experimental group.
• Further research is needed to isolate the specific contribution of MR technology independent of extended practice duration.