PregnancyNCT06949501
The Effectiveness of Virtual Patient Simulation Versus Peer Simulation in Providing Sexual Counseling During Pregnancy
A study testing virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment and face-to-face peer simulation in people with Pregnancy and Sexuality, run by Ankara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to compare, in a multidimensional manner, the effectiveness of different educational methods-virtual patient simulation and peer simulation-in improving sexual counseling skills during pregnancy among nursing faculty students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- What is being tested?
- virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment and face-to-face peer simulation
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 51 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 28 Apr 2025to 27 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Having the ability to provide care for pregnant women - Providing informed consent to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Having suspended enrollment or taken a leave of absence from education.
- Having received formal education aimed at developing sexual counseling skills.
- Wearing glasses (as it may interfere with the use of wearable eye-tracking systems).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara University Faculty of Nursing
Ankara, Altındağ, 06230
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of Virtual Patient Simulation Versus Peer Simulation in Enhancing Attitudes, Beliefs, and Skills in Providing Sexual Counseling During Pregnancy
The aim of this study is to compare, in a multidimensional manner, the effectiveness of different educational methods-virtual patient simulation and peer simulation-in improving sexual counseling skills during pregnancy among nursing faculty students.
The study will evaluate three different training methods: virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment, and face-to-face peer simulation. To determine the effectiveness of peer simulation and virtual patient simulation in sexual health counseling, multimodal data collection and analysis methods will be used. These methods will contribute to the development of counseling skills by examining in detail the verbal and non-verbal communication elements exhibited by participants during their interactions with virtual patients and peers. Throughout the research process, students' demographic characteristics, sexual attitudes and beliefs, sexual counseling skills, learning satisfaction and self-confidence levels, opinions on system usability, eye-tracking data, and body movements will be analyzed.
- Being tested
- virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment, face-to-face peer simulation
- Medical subject headings
- Sexuality
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
virtual patient simulationOther
Students in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to a virtual patient model following theoretical training. In this context, a virtual patient model has been developed with whom the students will engage for the counseling process.
peer simulation conducted in a virtual environmentOther
Students in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to their peers in a virtual environment following theoretical training. In the virtual peer simulation, students will see the same background displayed in the virtual patient simulation; however, instead of interacting with a virtual patient, they will connect with a peer via an online platform to conduct the counseling session.
face-to-face peer simulationOther
Students in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to their peers following theoretical training. In the peer simulation, students will conduct their sessions in a communication skills laboratory designed to resemble a clinical consultation room.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| virtual patient simulation group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: virtual patient simulation |
| peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment |
| face-to-face peer simulation group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: face-to-face peer simulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs
Students' sexual attitudes and beliefs will be assessed using the the sexual attitudes and belief survey. This scale is a six-point Likert-type scale, with scores ranging from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 72. Higher scores indicate more negative attitudes and beliefs toward sexual care.
Measured: immediately before the training-immediately after the training
Learning Satisfaction and Self-Confidence
Learning satisfaction and self-confidence will be measured using the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale. This scale is a five-point Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Higher scores reflect greater student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning.
Measured: immediately after the training
Sexual Counseling Skills
Students' sexual counseling skills will be assessed using the Sexual Counseling Skills Assessment Form. This form is developed based on the BETTER, PLISSIT, Ex-PLISSIT, and One-to-One models, and it covers the entire counseling process from initiation to conclusion. Each item is scored as 0 (not demonstrated) or 1 (demonstrated). The total score ranges from 0 to 34, with higher scores indicating a higher level of skill. The form will be completed while students simulate their counseling skills.
Measured: During simulation
System Usability Opinions
Students' opinions regarding system usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The SUS is a 10-item instrument scored on a five-point Likert scale. Scores range from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate higher perceived usability of the system.
Measured: immediately after the training
Eye Tracking
Eye tracking parameters in the study will be assessed using a wearable eye-tracking system. This device will analyze the areas of focus during students' interactions with virtual patients and peers. The analysis of gaze points and eye movements will help evaluate the distribution of attention during communication.
Measured: During simulation
Body Movements
Body movements will be evaluated using a motion tracking device. These motion detection systems will analyze body language to assess participants' capacity to establish effective connections with virtual patients and peers. This method aims to evaluate participants' ability to use gestures and body language effectively to build strong relationships with patients.
Measured: During simulation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Apr 2025
- Study start28 Apr 2025
- Primary completion27 Jun 2025
- Study completion27 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PregnancyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Delaware
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, NESLİHAN YILMAZ SEZER, Ankara University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06949501
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 03.03.2025/05-87
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of Virtual Patient Simulation Versus Peer Simulation in Enhancing Attitudes, Beliefs, and Skills in Providing Sexual Counseling During Pregnancy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06949501
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 03.03.2025/05-87
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Delaware
- Study start
- 28 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 27 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 27 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this study is to compare, in a multidimensional manner, the effectiveness of different educational methods-virtual patient simulation and peer simulation-in improving sexual counseling skills during pregnancy among nursing faculty students.
The study will evaluate three different training methods: virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment, and face-to-face peer simulation. To determine the effectiveness of peer simulation and virtual patient simulation in sexual health counseling, multimodal data collection and analysis methods will be used. These methods will contribute to the development of counseling skills by examining in detail the verbal and non-verbal communication elements exhibited by participants during their interactions with virtual patients and peers. Throughout the research process, students' demographic characteristics, sexual attitudes and beliefs, sexual counseling skills, learning satisfaction and self-confidence levels, opinions on system usability, eye-tracking data, and body movements will be analyzed.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| virtual patient simulation group | Experimental | Other: virtual patient simulation |
| peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment group | Experimental | Other: peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment |
| face-to-face peer simulation group | Experimental | Other: face-to-face peer simulation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Having the ability to provide care for pregnant women - Providing informed consent to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Having suspended enrollment or taken a leave of absence from education.
- Having received formal education aimed at developing sexual counseling skills.
- Wearing glasses (as it may interfere with the use of wearable eye-tracking systems).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| virtual patient simulationStudents in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to a virtual patient model following theoretical training. In this context, a virtual patient model has been developed with whom the students will engage for the counseling process. | Other | virtual patient simulation group |
| peer simulation conducted in a virtual environmentStudents in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to their peers in a virtual environment following theoretical training. In the virtual peer simulation, students will see the same background displayed in the virtual patient simulation; however, instead of interacting with a virtual patient, they will connect with a peer via an online platform to conduct the counseling session. | Other | peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment group |
| face-to-face peer simulationStudents in this group are expected to provide sexual counseling to their peers following theoretical training. In the peer simulation, students will conduct their sessions in a communication skills laboratory designed to resemble a clinical consultation room. | Other | face-to-face peer simulation group |
Primary outcome
Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs
Time frame: immediately before the training-immediately after the training
Students' sexual attitudes and beliefs will be assessed using the the sexual attitudes and belief survey. This scale is a six-point Likert-type scale, with scores ranging from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 72. Higher scores indicate more negative attitudes and beliefs toward sexual care.
Learning Satisfaction and Self-Confidence
Time frame: immediately after the training
Learning satisfaction and self-confidence will be measured using the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale. This scale is a five-point Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Higher scores reflect greater student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning.
Sexual Counseling Skills
Time frame: During simulation
Students' sexual counseling skills will be assessed using the Sexual Counseling Skills Assessment Form. This form is developed based on the BETTER, PLISSIT, Ex-PLISSIT, and One-to-One models, and it covers the entire counseling process from initiation to conclusion. Each item is scored as 0 (not demonstrated) or 1 (demonstrated). The total score ranges from 0 to 34, with higher scores indicating a higher level of skill. The form will be completed while students simulate their counseling skills.
System Usability Opinions
Time frame: immediately after the training
Students' opinions regarding system usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The SUS is a 10-item instrument scored on a five-point Likert scale. Scores range from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 100. Higher scores indicate higher perceived usability of the system.
Eye Tracking
Time frame: During simulation
Eye tracking parameters in the study will be assessed using a wearable eye-tracking system. This device will analyze the areas of focus during students' interactions with virtual patients and peers. The analysis of gaze points and eye movements will help evaluate the distribution of attention during communication.
Body Movements
Time frame: During simulation
Body movements will be evaluated using a motion tracking device. These motion detection systems will analyze body language to assess participants' capacity to establish effective connections with virtual patients and peers. This method aims to evaluate participants' ability to use gestures and body language effectively to build strong relationships with patients.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing virtual patient simulation, peer simulation conducted in a virtual environment and face-to-face peer simulation in people with Pregnancy and Sexuality, run by Ankara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs (time frame: immediately before the training-immediately after the training). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Apr 2026.