Long-Term CareNCT07044492
Effect of Empathy-Based Program on Nursing Assistants in Long-term Care Facilities
A study testing Virtual Reality (VR) with Debriefing in people with Long-Term Care and Long-term Care Facility, run by Taipei Medical University at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to explore the impact of an Empathy-Based Program on the level of empathy among nursing assistants in a long-term care facility. A total of 100 participants will be divided into two groups: a virtual reality (VR) with debriefing group, and a control group (C) receiving routine… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Long-Term Care, Long-term Care Facility
- What is being tested?
- Virtual Reality (VR) with Debriefing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 103 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 10 Nov 2025to 31 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
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 20 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Possess a valid nursing assistant license
- Aged 20 years or older
- Have worked at a long-term care institution for more than 3 months
- Able to read and understand written Chinese
Who cannot join
- Employed as a part-time nursing assistant
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of Empathy-Based Program on Empathy Level Among Nursing Assistants in Long-term Care Facility
This randomized controlled trial aims to explore the impact of an Empathy-Based Program on the level of empathy among nursing assistants in a long-term care facility. A total of 100 participants will be divided into two groups: a virtual reality (VR) with debriefing group, and a control group (C) receiving routine care. The intervention involves a weekly 5-minute VR session featuring immersive experiences of residents' lives within the facility, followed by a 25-minute debriefing discussion in small groups of 5~6 participants. This will continue for three weeks. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the empathy program in enhancing nursing assistants' empathy levels, with data collection occurring at three time points: baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up.
Read the detailed description
This study aims to investigate whether an Empathy-Based Program can enhance the level of empathy among nursing assistants working in long-term care facilities. The trial will include 100 participants who will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a virtual reality (VR) with debriefing group, and a control group (C) receiving routine care. The intervention consists of a 30-minute session once a week for three weeks, comprising a 5-minute virtual scenario video followed by a 25-minute small-group debriefing session with 5 to 6 participants.
The primary objective of the study is to assess the impact of the Empathy-Based Program on participants' empathy levels, empathic behaviors, and attitudes toward older adults. Data will be collected at multiple time points throughout the intervention, and statistical analyses will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the empathy-based sessions.
- Conditions
- Long-Term Care, Long-term Care Facility
- Being tested
- Virtual Reality (VR) with Debriefing
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Randomized Controlled Trial, Nursing Assistants, Empathy-Based Program, Debriefing
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual Reality (VR) with DebriefingBehavioural
Participants will receive a weekly 5-minute VR session featuring immersive experiences of residents' lives within the facility, followed by a 25-minute debriefing discussion in small groups of 5~6 participants. This will continue for three weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| virtual reality (VR) with debriefing Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will engage with immersive virtual reality (VR) with debriefing. Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality (VR) with Debriefing |
| Control Group (C) | No intervention | Participants in this group will continue their usual care routine without additional exposure to virtual. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Empathy Level
Empathy level was measured using the full, unabbreviated Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Version (JSE-HP), which constructs and assesses the multi-dimensional empathy levels of healthcare professionals (including perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in patient's shoes).
The JSE-HP consists of 20 items answered on a 7-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 140. A higher total score indicates a greater level of empathy (a better outcome), whereas a lower total score represents a worse outcome. Individual subscale scores were combined by summation to compute the final total score.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Attitudes Toward Older People
Attitudes toward older adults were measured using the full, unabbreviated Kogan's Attitudes Toward Older People Scale (KAOP), which constructs and assesses the positive and negative sentiments toward elderly populations.
The KAOP consists of 34 items answered on a 6-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from a minimum of 34 to a maximum of 204. A higher total score indicates a more positive attitude toward older adults (a better outcome), whereas a lower total score represents a more negative attitude (a worse outcome)
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)
Empathic Behavior
Empathic behavior was measured using a Structured Empathic Behavior Rating Scale, which constructs and evaluates observable empathic behaviors exhibited by nursing assistants during direct resident caregiving interactions.
The scale utilizes a standardized checklist to rate specific behavioral interactions. The total score ranges from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 84. A higher total score indicates a higher frequency or better quality of demonstrated empathic behaviors (a better outcome), while a lower score represents fewer or poorer empathic behaviors.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Jul 2025
- Study start10 Nov 2025
- Primary completion31 Dec 2025
- Study completion31 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Long-Term CareStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 103 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Taipei Medical University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07044492
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- N202203004
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- 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 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of Empathy-Based Program on Empathy Level Among Nursing Assistants in Long-term Care Facility
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07044492
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- N202203004
- Conditions
- Long-Term Care, Long-term Care Facility
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Randomized Controlled Trial, Nursing Assistants, Empathy-Based Program, Debriefing
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 103 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Taipei Medical UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 25 Feb 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to explore the impact of an Empathy-Based Program on the level of empathy among nursing assistants in a long-term care facility. A total of 100 participants will be divided into two groups: a virtual reality (VR) with debriefing group, and a control group (C) receiving routine care. The intervention involves a weekly 5-minute VR session featuring immersive experiences of residents' lives within the facility, followed by a 25-minute debriefing discussion in small groups of 5~6 participants. This will continue for three weeks. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the empathy program in enhancing nursing assistants' empathy levels, with data collection occurring at three time points: baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up.
Detailed description
This study aims to investigate whether an Empathy-Based Program can enhance the level of empathy among nursing assistants working in long-term care facilities. The trial will include 100 participants who will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a virtual reality (VR) with debriefing group, and a control group (C) receiving routine care. The intervention consists of a 30-minute session once a week for three weeks, comprising a 5-minute virtual scenario video followed by a 25-minute small-group debriefing session with 5 to 6 participants.
The primary objective of the study is to assess the impact of the Empathy-Based Program on participants' empathy levels, empathic behaviors, and attitudes toward older adults. Data will be collected at multiple time points throughout the intervention, and statistical analyses will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the empathy-based sessions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| virtual reality (VR) with debriefing Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Virtual Reality (VR) with DebriefingParticipants in this group will engage with immersive virtual reality (VR) with debriefing. |
| Control Group (C) | No intervention | –Participants in this group will continue their usual care routine without additional exposure to virtual. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Employed as a part-time nursing assistant
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 Reality (VR) with DebriefingParticipants will receive a weekly 5-minute VR session featuring immersive experiences of residents' lives within the facility, followed by a 25-minute debriefing discussion in small groups of 5~6 participants. This will continue for three weeks. | Behavioural | virtual reality (VR) with debriefing Group |
Primary outcome
Empathy Level
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)
Empathy level was measured using the full, unabbreviated Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Version (JSE-HP), which constructs and assesses the multi-dimensional empathy levels of healthcare professionals (including perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in patient's shoes). The JSE-HP consists of 20 items answered on a 7-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 140. A higher total score indicates a greater level of empathy (a better outcome), whereas a lower total score represents a worse outcome. Individual subscale scores were combined by summation to compute the final total score.
2 secondary outcomes
Attitudes Toward Older People
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)
Empathic Behavior
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jun 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- 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 Reality (VR) with Debriefing in people with Long-Term Care and Long-term Care Facility, run by Taipei Medical University at 1 site in Taiwan.
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 5 inclusion and 1 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 16 Jun 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 Taiwan. 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?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 25 Feb 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
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?
Empathy Level (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), end of intervention (week 3), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 7)). 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 16 Jun 2026.