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MetaverseNCT07078825

Metaverse- and VR-Supported Education in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum: Effects on Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, Success

A study testing Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group in people with Metaverse and Virtual Reality, run by Uludag University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on breastfeeding knowledge level, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding success in primiparous pregnant women. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Metaverse, Virtual Reality, Museum
What is being tested?
Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
53 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Jul 2023to 30 Apr 2024
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

  • Primiparous pregnant women who have never given live birth or had any breastfeeding experience and who were attending antenatal classes for the first time during their third trimester,
  • Pregnant women who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study,
  • Pregnant women aged 18 years or older,
  • Pregnant women who are literate in Turkish,
  • Mothers who gave birth to newborns with normal gestational age and birth weight.

Who cannot join

  • Pregnant women with physical conditions preventing them from breastfeeding,
  • Pregnant women with any condition that would prevent them from completing the questionnaire (e.g., intellectual disability, illiteracy),
  • Pregnant women who have difficulty communicating (e.g., with hearing, speech, or visual impairments),
  • Pregnant women with any illness that may affect milk secretion or breastfeeding (e.g., cancer, active tuberculosis),
  • Pregnant women taking medications that may interfere with breastfeeding,
  • Mothers whose newborns have conditions that could interfere with sucking (e.g., cleft lip/palate, being on mechanical ventilation, etc.).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Bursa, Nilufer, 16059

    Bursa, Nilufer, 16059

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Metaverse- and Virtual Reality-Supported Education in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum on Mothers' Breastfeeding Knowledge Level, Self-efficacy, and Success

This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on breastfeeding knowledge level, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding success in primiparous pregnant women. The study population consisted of primiparous women who applied for the first time to the antenatal classes of three hospitals in Turkey between July 2023 and April 2024 during their third trimester and had no prior breastfeeding experience. A total of 53 primiparous pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=28) and the control group (n=25). While the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported breastfeeding education in the digital breastfeeding museum, the control group received standard antenatal education provided in routine antenatal classes. Data were collected using a questionnaire assessing participant satisfaction and breastfeeding knowledge, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. Assessments were performed at three time points: before the intervention, after the intervention, and postpartum.

Read the detailed description

Breastfeeding is the most ideal way to ensure healthy growth and nutrition for infants. Breast milk is naturally produced to meet the nutritional needs of a newborn. With its unique composition tailored to the specific needs of the developing infant, breast milk is the most appropriate source of nutrition for newborns. Currently low breastfeeding rates are considered a major public health concern. Therefore, promoting breastfeeding is a public health priority. Recognized globally as a fundamental source of nutrition for nearly all infants, breastfeeding gains further importance due to its short- and long-term benefits. Given that breastfeeding benefits not only the baby but also maternal health, providing breastfeeding support to mothers has long been a focus of many national and international health organizations.

In the 21st century, emerging technologies offer alternative educational approaches. These technologies add new dimensions to the learning process and provide more effective educational methods. Virtual reality (VR), with its ability to digitally model the physical world, is one of the technologies used in supplementary education and training. VR refers to computer-generated simulations of real-life environments or scenarios. The Metaverse, on the other hand, is a digital universe where individuals interact through personalized avatars. A review of the literature reveals that there are very few studies using VR technology in breastfeeding education; only two studies have been found to provide such training. No studies were found using a Metaverse-based approach.

This study explores the potential of Metaverse and VR technologies in the field of education and introduces an innovative method for breastfeeding education. Aiming to fill the gap in the literature, a Metaverse- and VR-supported digital breastfeeding education museum was designed as an innovative educational tool for both mothers and educators. The educational content consists of instructional videos, informative written boards, and educational visuals. This material has the potential to offer pregnant women multimodal learning opportunities through visual, auditory, and written channels. Compared to traditional methods, this innovative approach can make education more engaging, increase satisfaction levels, enhance knowledge, improve self-efficacy, and thereby support breastfeeding success.

This study aims to determine the effects of Metaverse- and virtual reality-supported education in a digital breastfeeding museum on mothers' breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, and success. The study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample consisted of primiparous pregnant women who applied for the first time to antenatal education programs at three hospitals in Turkey between July 2023 and April 2024, during their third trimester, and had no prior breastfeeding experience. Participants were randomly assigned to groups using a simple randomization method. A total of 53 primiparous pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=28) and control group (n=25). While the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported training in the digital breastfeeding museum, the control group received the routine antenatal education program.

The educational material of the study was the Metaverse- and VR-supported digital breastfeeding museum. A VR web platform (an online virtual reality application enabling interaction through avatars) was used to develop the educational material, allowing users to create 3D virtual environments, provide interactive content, and interact with other users in real time. This platform offered a Metaverse universe that users could explore through their avatars. Through the web platform, a digital museum environment was created, consisting of six different educational rooms: basic principles of breastfeeding, breast milk production and secretion process, breastfeeding positions and considerations during breastfeeding, implementation of breastfeeding and evaluation criteria, milk expression techniques and storage methods, and breastfeeding-related problems. This environment could be explored by participants using VR headsets (Meta Quest 2). The museum content consisted of photo frames, written boards, and instructional videos placed on the walls. The educational application began with mothers wearing the VR headset and using hand controllers to enter the virtual museum. Participants accessed educational content through their personalized avatars. They had the opportunity to engage in multimodal learning through visual, auditory, and written content and spent approximately one hour in the museum.

In addition, the routine education program of the institution continued, and both the intervention and control group participants benefited from this program. No additional intervention was applied to the control group; they only received the standard breastfeeding education provided by the antenatal school. As data collection tools, a questionnaire developed by the researcher based on the literature and two assessment instruments-the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool-were used. Prenatal data were collected immediately before and after the training, while postpartum data were collected as soon as possible within the first 24 hours after birth.

Being tested
Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group
Keywords
Breastfeeding Knowledge Level, Breastfeeding Success

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum GroupOther

    The pregnant women in this group received training supported by Metaverse and virtual reality (VR) in the digital breastfeeding museum. The training began when pregnant women wore VR headsets (Meta Quest 2) and entered the digital museum using hand controllers. To prevent physical risks like falling or bumping, they navigated the environment safely from where they were seated. Educational content was accessed via personalized avatars. Participants moved between rooms by walking virtually or clicking on circular transition portals. The researcher provided guidance when needed. Video durations varied by topic, totaling around 40 minutes. Mothers could rewatch videos and pause/resume the training on the same day. They engaged with visual, auditory, and written materials, spending approximately one hour in the museum.

Study groups in NCT07078825
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Routine Antenatal Class Education Program GroupNo interventionNo additional intervention was administered to the pregnant women in this group; they only received the routine breastfeeding education provided by the antenatal education program.
Training Supported by Metaverse and VR in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum GroupExperimentalThe pregnant women in this group received training supported by Metaverse and virtual reality (VR) in the digital breastfeeding museum. No additional drugs or medical devices were used throughout the study. The sole intervention consisted of a digital breastfeeding educational program delivered via virtual reality and Metaverse platforms. All content was accessed exclusively through head-mounted displays, without the need for any pharmacological agents or invasive procedures.The environment was explored by participants using virtual reality (VR) headsets (Meta Quest 2).
Receives: Other: Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Breastfeeding Knowledge Score

    In order to assess mothers' breastfeeding knowledge levels, a 25-item knowledge questionnaire was developed based on a review of the literature. Each question was scored on a 4-point scale, with the total score ranging from 0 to 100. Participants' responses to the questionnaire were evaluated by assigning points only to correct answers. Incorrect, "I don't know," or unanswered items were not scored. Each participant's total knowledge score was calculated based on the number of correct responses, and the knowledge level was treated as a continuous variable. In this study, no cut-off point was defined to categorize participants as "knowledgeable" or "not knowledgeable"; therefore, knowledge level was interpreted based on the increase in total score.

    Measured: Immediately before the education, immediately after the education, and within the first 24 hours postpartum

  2. Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form (BSES-SF) Score

    The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale is used to assess how confident mothers feel about their ability to breastfeed. The original scale was developed in 1999. In 2003, the scale was shortened to a 14-item version known as the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short Form (BSES-SF), which is recommended for use in research and practice. The BSES-SF is a 5-point Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from 1 ("Not at all confident") to 5 ("Always confident"). The minimum possible score is 14, and the maximum is 70. Higher scores indicate higher levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy. The Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale was conducted in 2010. In this study, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was reported as 0.86.

    Measured: Immediately before the education, immediately after the education, and within the first 24 hours postpartum

  3. LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool Score

    The LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool is used to evaluate whether breastfeeding mothers are correctly breastfeeding their infants. The acronym LATCH represents five assessment criteria based on the initial letters of the following components:

    • L (Latch on the breast): How well the infant latches onto the breast
    • A (Audible swallowing): Audible swallowing sounds from the infant
    • T (Type of nipple): The type of the mother's nipple
    • C (Comfort breast/nipple): The mother's level of breast/nipple comfort
    • H (Hold): The mother's positioning and ability to hold the baby during breastfeeding

    Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 2, with a maximum total score of 10. Higher scores indicate greater breastfeeding success. The reliability of the Turkish version of the scale was reported with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95.

    Measured: Within the first 24 hours postpartum

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Jul 2025
  2. Study start1 Jul 2023
  3. Primary completion30 Apr 2024
  4. Study completion30 Apr 2024

Resources

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
Health services research
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial consisting of two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving Metaverse- and VR-supported education in the digital breastfeeding museum, and a control group receiving standard antenatal class education.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
53 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07078825
Sponsor's protocol ID
UU-25-DIGI-BF-MUSE/AAKKAYAGUL
Status last verified
Jul 2025
First submitted
12 Jul 2025
Last updated
25 Jul 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) may be shared upon reasonable request."

Publications

  • Kilic U, Arar M, Oruc MA. The effect of virtual reality on the breastfeeding process: a randomized controlled study. J Perinatol. 2024 Nov;44(11):1611-1616. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-02077-0. Epub 2024 Jul 31.

    PubMed 39085438

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group in people with Metaverse and Virtual Reality, run by Uludag 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 5 inclusion and 6 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 25 Jul 2025. 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?

Breastfeeding Knowledge Score (time frame: Immediately before the education, immediately after the education, and within the first 24 hours postpartum). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07078825, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 25 Jul 2025.

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