Effectiveness of a helmet noninvasive ventilation simulation training: A quasi-experimental study

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a helmet noninvasive ventilation (NIV) simulation-based training program grounded in the National League for Nursing/Jeffries Simulation Theory (NLN/JST), comparing its effects with lecture-based education on ICU nurses' knowledge, self-efficacy and clinical performance.

Although the use of helmet NIV has increased, applying this interface requires complex skills and specific training programs are lacking.

A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, pre- and post-test design was employed.

Forty-three ICU nurses at a tertiary hospital with no prior helmet NIV experience were consecutively allocated to the experimental (n = 21) or control (n = 22) group in order of application. The experimental group received NLN/JST-based training, while the control group received lecture-based education. Knowledge and self-efficacy were measured pre- and post-intervention, while clinical performance was assessed post-intervention by a blinded evaluator using a structured checklist.

Both groups showed increases in knowledge and self-efficacy scores, with no statistically significant between-group differences (knowledge: p = .09, Cohen's d =.41, 95% CI [-.20, 1.01]; self-efficacy: p = .08, Cohen's d = 0.42, 95% CI [-0.18, 1.03]). Although pre-test data were unavailable for clinical performance, the experimental group showed higher post-intervention scores than the control group (p < .001, Cohen's d =2.19, 95% CI [1.44, 2.95]).

This study developed and evaluated an NLN/JST-based helmet NIV simulation training program, demonstrating feasibility for equipment education in ICU nurses. Although the simulation group showed higher post-intervention performance, this cannot be interpreted as greater improvement, since baseline performance was not measured.