StressVR-ICU Nurse SNCT07097519
Effects of Virtual Reality on Anxiety, Stress, and Work Performance in ICU Nurses
A study testing Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in people with Stress and Performance, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to the emotional demands of caring for critically ill patients. These psychological burdens can negatively affect their job performance and the quality of care they provide. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stress, Performance, Immersive Virtual Reality
- What is being tested?
- Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 13 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2025to 31 May 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 Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Willing to voluntarily participate in the study
- Currently employed as a nurse in the Anesthesia and Reanimation Intensive Care Unit
- Has been working in the unit for at least 3 months
- Able and available to use the virtual reality (VR) application for a minimum of 10 minutes per day
- Willing to use the VR application on 8 to 16 clinical workdays during the 8-week intervention period
Who cannot join
- Any condition that prevents communication, completing questionnaires, or participating in measurements
- Physical limitations that prevent movement (e.g., amputation, joint restriction)
- Health problems that interfere with VR use, including chronic pain, hearing or vision loss, migraine, vertigo, nausea, epilepsy, claustrophobia, head injuries, or psychiatric treatment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects on Anxiety, Stress, and Work Performance of Intensive Care Nurses Using an Immersive Virtual Reality Application
Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to the emotional demands of caring for critically ill patients. These psychological burdens can negatively affect their job performance and the quality of care they provide. Recent studies suggest that immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology may help reduce stress and improve professional performance among healthcare workers. However, no study to date has specifically evaluated the effects of IVR on ICU nurses' anxiety, stress, and job performance.
This study aims to evaluate whether an IVR application can reduce anxiety and stress levels while enhancing the job performance of ICU nurses. By introducing a clinical intervention based on virtual reality, the research seeks to explore its potential as a practical tool in improving nurses' well-being and work effectiveness in high-pressure environments. The findings will contribute to understanding the clinical applicability of IVR as a stress-reduction and performance-enhancement method in intensive care settings.
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the impact of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention on the anxiety, stress, and professional performance of registered nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). ICU nurses frequently face emotionally demanding situations, including end-of-life care, which can lead to elevated stress and anxiety levels. These psychological challenges have been associated with decreased job performance and compromised quality of patient care.
Technological innovations, particularly in virtual reality, offer promising solutions for mental health support and professional development in healthcare. IVR has been used successfully in various healthcare settings to reduce stress, improve coping strategies, and enhance performance. Despite this, no study has yet specifically examined its effect on ICU nurses.
In this randomized controlled trial, participants will be assigned to either an intervention group using the IVR application or a control group receiving standard care. The IVR experience is designed to promote relaxation, reduce psychological strain, and reinforce professional competencies through immersive scenarios. Outcome measures will include validated scales for anxiety, stress, and job performance, collected before and after the intervention.
The ultimate goal of this study is to assess the clinical applicability of IVR technology in supporting ICU nurses' mental well-being and work performance, offering a novel approach to workforce resilience in critical care settings.
- Conditions
- Stress, Performance, Immersive Virtual Reality, Intensive Care (ICU), Nurse
- Being tested
- Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)
- Keywords
- Job Performance, Immersive Virtual Reality, Intensive Care Nursing
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)Other
This intervention involves the use of a high-end immersive virtual reality (IVR) application through the Oculus Quest 2 headset. Nurses participate in a rhythm-based exergame, Beat Saber, for at least 10 minutes per session, during 8-16 clinical shifts over an 8-week period. The game engages users in physical movement to music, requiring whole-body coordination and providing visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. The intervention aims to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance job performance among ICU nurses by providing an immersive, engaging, and therapeutic experience within the clinical environment.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention for ICU Nurses | Experimental | Participants in this arm are registered nurses working in an intensive care unit who receive an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention. The intervention involves the use of a VR exergame (Beat Saber) through Oculus Quest 2 headsets. Nurses engage in VR sessions for a minimum of 10 minutes per day across 8-16 clinical workdays over an 8-week period. The intervention is designed to reduce anxiety and stress levels and enhance job performance. Outcome measures include anxiety, stress, individual job performance, and satisfaction ratings collected pre- and post-intervention. Receives: Other: Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Job Performance Measured by the Individual Work Performance Scale
Job performance will be assessed using the Turkish version of the Individual Work Performance Scale adapted by Köroğlu Kaba \& Öztürk (2021). The 14-item scale includes 3 subscales: Task Performance (5 items), Contextual Performance (6 items), and Counterproductive Work Behavior (3 items, reverse-coded). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Rarely) to 5 (Always). Higher scores indicate better performance. The internal consistency of the total scale is reported as 0.80.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in Anxiety Level
Anxiety levels will be measured using the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale (STAI-State), a validated 20-item self-report questionnaire. The scale evaluates how participants feel at a specific moment, with scores ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate higher anxiety. The primary analysis will compare pre- and post-intervention scores to evaluate the effect of the immersive virtual reality (IVR) application on anxiety reduction among ICU nurses.
Measured: Before and after each VR session, from enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change in Anxiety Levels Measured by the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale
Anxiety levels will be assessed using the Turkish version of the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale (STAI-State), a 20-item self-report scale that measures how the participant feels in a specific moment. Each item is scored from 1 (Not at all) to 4 (Very much so), with total scores ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety. The scale has high internal consistency (KR-20: 0.94-0.96). It will be administered on the first and last day of the intervention.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jul 2025
- Study start1 Mar 2025
- Primary completion31 May 2025
- Study completion31 May 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istanbul University - CerrahpasaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- This study uses a single-group, prospective, interventional, pre-test-post-test design. All participants receive the same immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention without a comparison or control group. The intervention consists of regular use of a commercially available VR exergame (Beat Saber) for a minimum of 10 minutes per session over an 8-week period. Measurements are taken at three time points (baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention) using validated scales for anxiety, stress, job performance, and satisfaction. This model allows assessment of within-subject changes over time in response to the VR-based stress management and performance-enhancement intervention.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 13 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Merve BEKE, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07097519
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-292
- Acronym
- VR-ICU Nurse S
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 25 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared in order to maintain participant confidentiality and comply with institutional data protection policies. The data include sensitive psychological and professional information collected from ICU nurses, which could pose privacy risks if shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects on Anxiety, Stress, and Work Performance of Intensive Care Nurses Using an Immersive Virtual Reality Application
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07097519
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VR-ICU Nurse S / 2025-292
- Conditions
- Stress, Performance, Immersive Virtual Reality, Intensive Care (ICU), Nurse
- Keywords
- Job Performance, Immersive Virtual Reality, Intensive Care Nursing
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 13 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - CerrahpasaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 31 Jul 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.
Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to the emotional demands of caring for critically ill patients. These psychological burdens can negatively affect their job performance and the quality of care they provide. Recent studies suggest that immersive virtual reality (IVR) technology may help reduce stress and improve professional performance among healthcare workers. However, no study to date has specifically evaluated the effects of IVR on ICU nurses' anxiety, stress, and job performance.
This study aims to evaluate whether an IVR application can reduce anxiety and stress levels while enhancing the job performance of ICU nurses. By introducing a clinical intervention based on virtual reality, the research seeks to explore its potential as a practical tool in improving nurses' well-being and work effectiveness in high-pressure environments. The findings will contribute to understanding the clinical applicability of IVR as a stress-reduction and performance-enhancement method in intensive care settings.
Detailed description
This study investigates the impact of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention on the anxiety, stress, and professional performance of registered nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs). ICU nurses frequently face emotionally demanding situations, including end-of-life care, which can lead to elevated stress and anxiety levels. These psychological challenges have been associated with decreased job performance and compromised quality of patient care.
Technological innovations, particularly in virtual reality, offer promising solutions for mental health support and professional development in healthcare. IVR has been used successfully in various healthcare settings to reduce stress, improve coping strategies, and enhance performance. Despite this, no study has yet specifically examined its effect on ICU nurses.
In this randomized controlled trial, participants will be assigned to either an intervention group using the IVR application or a control group receiving standard care. The IVR experience is designed to promote relaxation, reduce psychological strain, and reinforce professional competencies through immersive scenarios. Outcome measures will include validated scales for anxiety, stress, and job performance, collected before and after the intervention.
The ultimate goal of this study is to assess the clinical applicability of IVR technology in supporting ICU nurses' mental well-being and work performance, offering a novel approach to workforce resilience in critical care settings.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- This study uses a single-group, prospective, interventional, pre-test-post-test design. All participants receive the same immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention without a comparison or control group. The intervention consists of regular use of a commercially available VR exergame (Beat Saber) for a minimum of 10 minutes per session over an 8-week period. Measurements are taken at three time points (baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention) using validated scales for anxiety, stress, job performance, and satisfaction. This model allows assessment of within-subject changes over time in response to the VR-based stress management and performance-enhancement intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention for ICU Nurses | Experimental | Other: Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)Participants in this arm are registered nurses working in an intensive care unit who receive an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention. The intervention involves the use of a VR exergame (Beat Saber) through Oculus Quest 2 headsets. Nurses engage in VR sessions for a minimum of 10 minutes per day across 8-16 clinical workdays over an 8-week period. The intervention is designed to reduce anxiety and stress levels and enhance job performance. Outcome measures include anxiety, stress, individual job performance, and satisfaction ratings collected pre- and post-intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Willing to voluntarily participate in the study
- Currently employed as a nurse in the Anesthesia and Reanimation Intensive Care Unit
- Has been working in the unit for at least 3 months
- Able and available to use the virtual reality (VR) application for a minimum of 10 minutes per day
- Willing to use the VR application on 8 to 16 clinical workdays during the 8-week intervention period
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Any condition that prevents communication, completing questionnaires, or participating in measurements
- Physical limitations that prevent movement (e.g., amputation, joint restriction)
- Health problems that interfere with VR use, including chronic pain, hearing or vision loss, migraine, vertigo, nausea, epilepsy, claustrophobia, head injuries, or psychiatric treatment
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)This intervention involves the use of a high-end immersive virtual reality (IVR) application through the Oculus Quest 2 headset. Nurses participate in a rhythm-based exergame, Beat Saber, for at least 10 minutes per session, during 8-16 clinical shifts over an 8-week period. The game engages users in physical movement to music, requiring whole-body coordination and providing visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. The intervention aims to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance job performance among ICU nurses by providing an immersive, engaging, and therapeutic experience within the clinical environment. | Other | Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention for ICU Nurses |
Primary outcome
Change in Job Performance Measured by the Individual Work Performance Scale
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Job performance will be assessed using the Turkish version of the Individual Work Performance Scale adapted by Köroğlu Kaba \& Öztürk (2021). The 14-item scale includes 3 subscales: Task Performance (5 items), Contextual Performance (6 items), and Counterproductive Work Behavior (3 items, reverse-coded). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Rarely) to 5 (Always). Higher scores indicate better performance. The internal consistency of the total scale is reported as 0.80.
2 secondary outcomes
Change in Anxiety Level
Time frame: Before and after each VR session, from enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Change in Anxiety Levels Measured by the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
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 31 Jul 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared in order to maintain participant confidentiality and comply with institutional data protection policies. The data include sensitive psychological and professional information collected from ICU nurses, which could pose privacy risks if shared.
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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 Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in people with Stress and Performance, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa 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 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 31 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?
Change in Job Performance Measured by the Individual Work Performance Scale (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks). 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 31 Jul 2025.