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HealthyCINDYNCT07305714

Virtual Reality Educational Intervention for Nursing Students' Day Surgery Patient Counselling

A study testing CINDY Virtual Reality Educational Intervention in people with Healthy, run by Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences at 1 site in Finland.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This pilot feasibility study evaluates whether a virtual reality (VR) educational program can help nursing students develop better skills for counseling day surgery patients. Day surgery patients spend limited time in the hospital but need comprehensive information about their surgery, recovery, and self-care at home. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Healthy
What is being tested?
CINDY Virtual Reality Educational Intervention
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteFinland
Study dates
30 Jan 2026to Jan 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

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

  • Currently enrolled in perioperative nursing course at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
  • Provided written informed consent
  • Basic digital literacy and ability to use computer/tablet devices
  • Access to required technology (computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet connection)
  • Willingness to participate in all study procedures including surveys and potential interviews

Who cannot join

  • Significant visual or hearing impairments that would prevent use of virtual reality technology
  • History of motion sickness or documented intolerance to virtual reality environments
  • Current or planned leave of absence during the study period that would prevent completion of all measurement timepoints
  • Previous participation in CINDY intervention stakeholder evaluation (Phase 1)
  • Inability to read and understand Finnish language study materials

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Terhi Voltti, Msc, Doctoral candidate contact

+358 44 3423207

terhi.voltti@seamk.fi

Finland1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Seinäjoki UAS

    Seinäjoki, 60100

    Terhi Voltti, PhD researcher

    Recruiting

Other trials in Finland

About this study

Official title: Virtual Reality Educational Intervention for Nursing Students' Day Surgery Patient Counselling: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Feasibility Study

This pilot feasibility study evaluates whether a virtual reality (VR) educational program can help nursing students develop better skills for counseling day surgery patients.

Day surgery patients spend limited time in the hospital but need comprehensive information about their surgery, recovery, and self-care at home. Nurses must provide effective patient education within short timeframes, which creates unique challenges. Research shows that surgical patients consistently report needing more education than they currently receive, particularly about managing pain, recognizing complications, and knowing what to expect during recovery.

Read more

Traditional nursing education often lacks the patient's perspective and emotional context that characterize real clinical situations. Virtual reality simulation can address this gap by letting nursing students experience healthcare scenarios from the patient's viewpoint in a safe learning environment.

The CINDY (Counseling Intervention for Day Surgery) intervention uses 360-degree VR videos showing day surgery situations from the patient's perspective. Students can practice counseling skills and learn to understand patient concerns before working with actual patients.

This pilot feasibility study will include 60 nursing students from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. Thirty students will receive the CINDY VR intervention alongside their regular education, while 30 students will receive only standard education. The study will run for approximately 6-7 months.

The primary goal is to test whether this VR approach is feasible and acceptable for nursing education. The study will measure:

  • How successfully students can be recruited and retained
  • Whether students complete the VR program as designed
  • Student and educator satisfaction with the learning method
  • Technical performance and usability of the VR platform
  • Preliminary changes in student counseling competencies

Results will inform the design of a larger study to definitively test whether VR training improves nursing students' patient counseling skills. This research may help nursing programs better prepare students to provide high-quality patient education in day surgery settings.

Read the detailed description

BACKGROUND AND FRAMEWORK

The CINDY (Counseling Intervention for Day Surgery) educational intervention was systematically developed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for complex intervention development. The intervention addresses the recognized gap in nursing education regarding patient counseling competencies for day surgery settings, where reduced contact time requires highly effective communication skills.

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT (MRC PHASE 1)

Following MRC Phase 1 guidelines, the intervention was co-designed through multidisciplinary collaboration with nursing educators, day surgery nurses, and nursing students. Stakeholder evaluation was conducted with nursing educators (n=6-8), day surgery nurses (n=6-8), and graduating nursing students (n=6-8), demonstrating excellent usability with a Post-System Usability Scale (P-SUS) score of 95.0/100 (scores ≥70 indicate good to excellent usability). Phase 1 results will be reported separately.

CURRENT STUDY (MRC PHASE 2)

This pilot feasibility study represents MRC Phase 2 (Feasibility and Piloting) and follows CONSORT extension guidelines for pilot and feasibility trials. The intervention is described according to the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) checklist to ensure comprehensive and replicable reporting.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a non-randomized pilot feasibility study employing a convergent mixed methods approach with parallel groups (intervention n=30, control n=30). The quasi-experimental design compares students receiving the CINDY VR intervention alongside standard perioperative nursing education with students receiving only standard education.

INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION

The CINDY intervention is a 90-minute VR-based educational program delivered through the ThingLink platform. The intervention was developed through a co-design process involving the principal investigator (nursing educator), a digital content expert, and an experienced day surgery nurse, ensuring both pedagogical soundness and clinical authenticity.

Students experience interactive 360-degree VR scenarios depicting day surgery patient journeys from admission through discharge, including preoperative preparation, postoperative recovery, and discharge counseling. The scenarios were filmed in authentic clinical settings and feature real patient perspectives and concerns. The intervention emphasizes patient perspective-taking, anxiety management strategies, and effective information provision techniques tailored to the time constraints of day surgery settings.

DATA COLLECTION

Mixed methods data collection occurs at three timepoints: baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2), and 4-6 weeks post-intervention (T3). Quantitative measures include patient counseling competencies (OKO Scale), system usability (Post-System Usability Scale), and feasibility indicators (recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity, acceptability). Qualitative data include semi-structured interviews with students, educators, and day surgery nurses. Intervention group focus group discussions use the TIDieR checklist components as a framework to systematically evaluate intervention delivery, materials, procedures, and fidelity.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES

As a pilot feasibility study, primary outcomes focus on feasibility indicators: recruitment success (≥70% eligible students enrolled), retention (≥80% complete all measurements), intervention adherence (≥75% complete full VR program), intervention fidelity (≥85% scenarios completed correctly), and acceptability (mean P-SUS score ≥70). These predetermined success criteria will inform decisions about proceeding to a definitive randomized controlled trial.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study received ethics approval from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences Ethics Committee. All participants provide written informed consent after receiving comprehensive study information. Participation is voluntary with the right to withdraw at any time without consequences to academic standing. Data are managed according to GDPR and Finnish data protection regulations.

SIGNIFICANCE

Results will inform the design and implementation of a future definitive trial to test intervention effectiveness. This research contributes to the evidence base for VR simulation in nursing education and addresses the urgent need for improved patient counseling training in day surgery settings.

Conditions
Healthy
Being tested
CINDY Virtual Reality Educational Intervention
Keywords
Virtual Reality, Nursing Education, Ambulatory Surgery, Day Surgery, Patient Counselling, Patient Education, Nursing Students, Perioperative Nursing, Feasibility Studies, Mixed Methods Studies

What participants receive

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

  • CINDY Virtual Reality Educational InterventionBehavioural

    The CINDY (Counseling Intervention for Day Surgery) is a 90-minute virtual reality-based educational program delivered through the ThingLink platform. The intervention features interactive 360-degree VR scenarios depicting day surgery patient journeys from admission through discharge, including preoperative preparation, postoperative recovery, and discharge counseling. The scenarios were co-designed by a nursing educator, digital content expert, and day surgery nurse, and filmed in authentic clinical settings. Students experience situations from the patient's perspective, focusing on patient anxiety management, effective information provision, and counseling techniques for time-limited day surgery settings.

Study groups in NCT07305714
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention GroupExperimentalNursing students (n=30) receive the CINDY virtual reality educational intervention (90 minutes, ThingLink platform) in addition to standard perioperative nursing education. The VR intervention includes interactive 360-degree scenarios showing day surgery patient journeys from the patient's perspective.
Receives: Behavioral: CINDY Virtual Reality Educational Intervention
Control GroupNo interventionNursing students (n=30) receive standard perioperative nursing education only, without the CINDY VR intervention.

What is being measured

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

  1. Feasibility Indicators Composite

    Composite measure of five feasibility indicators with pre-specified success criteria: (1) Recruitment success: ≥70% of eligible students enrolled; (2) Retention: ≥80% of enrolled students complete all three measurement timepoints; (3) Intervention adherence: ≥75% of intervention group students complete the full 90-minute VR program; (4) Intervention fidelity: ≥85% of VR scenarios completed correctly according to protocol; (5) Acceptability: mean Post-System Usability Scale (P-SUS) score ≥70 among intervention group students. Success defined as meeting at least 4 of 5 pre-specified criteria.

    Measured: Baseline to 6-week follow-up

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Patient Counselling Competencies

    Measured using the OKO Scale (Ohjausosaamisen kehittymisen seuranta - Patient Counseling Competency Development Assessment Scale), a validated self-assessment instrument evaluating nursing students' patient counseling competencies across multiple domains including communication skills, patient education, and counseling techniques. The OKO Scale consists of 42 items scored on a numeric scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates very poor competence and 10 indicates very high competence. Higher scores indicate better patient counseling competency.

    Measured: Baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2), and 4-6 weeks post-intervention (T3)

  2. Qualitative User Experience

    Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions exploring students', educators', and day surgery nurses' experiences with the CINDY intervention, including perceived benefits, challenges, suggestions for improvement, and insights into intervention mechanisms. Intervention group students participate in focus groups using TIDieR checklist components as framework.

    Measured: Post-intervention period, within 4-6 weeks after intervention completion

Timeline

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

  1. First posted26 Dec 2025
  2. Study start30 Jan 2026
  3. Primary completion18 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJan 2027 (estimated)

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
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Non-randomized parallel group design with intervention group (n=30) receiving CINDY VR intervention plus standard education and control group (n=30) receiving standard education only.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07305714
Sponsor's protocol ID
CINDY-2025-SEAMK
Other IDs
Ethics-20251108
Acronym
CINDY
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
12 Dec 2025
Last updated
18 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be shared to protect student privacy and comply with GDPR and Finnish data protection regulations. Aggregated, de-identified results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Publications

  • Hoffmann TC, Glasziou PP, Boutron I, Milne R, Perera R, Moher D, Altman DG, Barbour V, Macdonald H, Johnston M, Lamb SE, Dixon-Woods M, McCulloch P, Wyatt JC, Chan AW, Michie S. Better reporting of interventions: template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist and guide. BMJ. 2014 Mar 7;348:g1687. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g1687.

    PubMed 24609605
  • Skivington K, Matthews L, Simpson SA, Craig P, Baird J, Blazeby JM, Boyd KA, Craig N, French DP, McIntosh E, Petticrew M, Rycroft-Malone J, White M, Moore L. A new framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions: update of Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ. 2021 Sep 30;374:n2061. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n2061.

    PubMed 34593508
  • Eldridge SM, Chan CL, Campbell MJ, Bond CM, Hopewell S, Thabane L, Lancaster GA; PAFS consensus group. CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials. BMJ. 2016 Oct 24;355:i5239. doi: 10.1136/bmj.i5239.

    PubMed 27777223

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing CINDY Virtual Reality Educational Intervention in people with Healthy, run by Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences at 1 site in Finland.

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 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 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 Finland. 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?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Terhi Voltti, Msc, Doctoral candidate (+358 44 3423207, terhi.voltti@seamk.fi), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Feasibility Indicators Composite (time frame: Baseline to 6-week follow-up). 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 NCT07305714, which also lists 3 linked publications.

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 18 Jun 2026.

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