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MetaverseNCT07516041

Metaverse- and VR-Supported Education in a Digital Breastfeeding Museum: Long-Term Effects on Breastfeeding Process, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation

A study testing Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group and Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2) 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 prospective study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on the breastfeeding process, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding motivation, and breastfeeding-related problems in… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Metaverse, Virtual Reality, Digital Museum
What is being tested?
Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group and Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
15 Mar 2024to 27 Mar 2026
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
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Having previously participated in a randomized controlled trial by providing written informed consent,
  • Primiparous mothers who voluntarily agree to participate in the new study,
  • Being reachable by telephone and having digital access to complete an online questionnaire,
  • Being able to read and understand Turkish,
  • Having sufficient cognitive ability to recall the breastfeeding process,
  • The infant not having any health condition requiring prolonged hospitalization in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Who cannot join

  • The presence of a serious health condition in the mother or infant that may contraindicate breastfeeding,
  • Having experienced infant loss during the postpartum period,
  • A diagnosis of a severe psychiatric or physiological condition in the mother during the postpartum period that may interfere with breastfeeding.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Fenerbahçe Üniversitesi

    Ataşehir, Istanbul, 34758

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Long-Term Effects of Metaverse- and Virtual Reality-Supported Education Delivered to Mothers in a Digital Breastfeeding Museum on the Breastfeeding Process, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

This randomized controlled prospective study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education provided in a digital breastfeeding museum on the breastfeeding process, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding motivation, and breastfeeding-related problems in primiparous mothers. While the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported breastfeeding education in the digital breastfeeding museum, the control group received standard education provided in routine antenatal classes. The study population consisted of primiparous mothers who had participated in the previous randomized controlled study and voluntarily agreed to take part in this new prospective study. Participants were followed at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months. Data were collected using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, the Breastfeeding Problems Assessment Scale, and a questionnaire form (including breastfeeding duration and other parameters). Assessments were conducted at the planned follow-up intervals.

Read the detailed description

Breastfeeding is the most ideal method for ensuring infants' healthy growth and nutrition and is a public health priority due to its short- and long-term health benefits. Emerging technologies in the 21st century have added new dimensions to educational processes, and tools such as virtual reality (VR) and the Metaverse support traditional educational methods by offering multimodal learning opportunities. The literature indicates that the use of VR in breastfeeding education is limited, and no Metaverse-based studies have been reported.

This study represents a prospective follow-up of a randomized controlled trial conducted between July 2023 and April 2024 in three hospitals. In the previous study, 53 primiparous pregnant women-who were attending antenatal classes for the first time in their third trimester and had no prior breastfeeding experience-were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=28) and a control group (n=25). In the new prospective study, 20 mothers from each group were reached, resulting in a total of 40 participants who continued to be followed in their originally assigned groups.

Participants in the intervention group received Metaverse- and VR-supported breastfeeding education in a digital breastfeeding museum consisting of multiple educational rooms. They explored the museum through personalized avatars using VR headsets, accessing educational content that included photo frames, written boards, and instructional videos. The control group continued to receive routine antenatal breastfeeding education at the participating hospitals. In the prospective follow-up, no additional postnatal interventions were applied; data were collected only on long-term outcomes at four postnatal periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months. Data collection tools included maternal and infant demographic forms, a breastfeeding knowledge questionnaire, the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, and the Breastfeeding Problems Assessment Scale. Participants were contacted by phone, and data were collected via online surveys.

This study is the first to prospectively evaluate the long-term effects of Metaverse- and VR-supported digital breastfeeding education on postnatal breastfeeding practices, self-efficacy, and motivation. It provides evidence on the sustained impact of technology-based educational models on breastfeeding behavior.

Being tested
Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group, Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2)
Keywords
Breastfeeding Education,Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Breastfeeding Motivation,Breastfeeding Process

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

    In the previous randomized controlled study, pregnant women in this group received Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education in a digital breastfeeding museum. The sole intervention consisted of a digital breastfeeding education program delivered via virtual reality and Metaverse platforms. All content was provided exclusively through head-mounted VR devices, without the need for any pharmacological agents or invasive procedures. The environment was explored by participants using virtual reality (VR) headsets (Meta Quest 2).

    In the prospective follow-up study, no additional postnatal education was provided; only long-term follow-up data were collected at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months.

  • Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2)Device

    A head-mounted virtual reality (VR) device used to deliver immersive educational content in a digital breastfeeding museum. Participants interacted with the virtual environment using VR headsets.

Study groups in NCT07516041
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Routine Antenatal Class Education Program GroupNo interventionIn the previous randomized controlled study, no additional intervention was administered to the pregnant women in this group; they only received the routine breastfeeding education provided by the antenatal education program. In the prospective follow-up study, no additional postnatal education was provided; only long-term follow-up data were collected at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months.
Training Supported by Metaverse and VR in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum GroupExperimentalIn the previous randomized controlled study, pregnant women in this group received Metaverse- and virtual reality (VR)-supported education in a digital breastfeeding museum. The sole intervention consisted of a digital breastfeeding education program delivered via virtual reality and Metaverse platforms. All content was provided exclusively through head-mounted VR devices, without the need for any pharmacological agents or invasive procedures. The environment was explored by participants using virtual reality (VR) headsets (Meta Quest 2). In the prospective follow-up study, no additional postnatal education was provided; only long-term follow-up data were collected at four postpartum periods: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months.
Receives: Other: Training Supported by Metaverse and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Digital Breastfeeding Museum Group; Device: Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2)

What is being measured

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

  1. Breastfeeding Motivation Scale

    The Breastfeeding Motivation Scale was developed by Kestler-Peleg and colleagues in 2015. It is a 24-item, five-point Likert-type scale with five subscales. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the subscales range from 0.56 to 0.89. The validity and reliability of the scale for the Turkish population were tested by Mızrak in 2017 among primiparous and multiparous women.The Turkish version of the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale for primiparous women consists of 23 items, five subscales, and uses a four-point Likert format. The subscales are: (1) integrated regulation, (2) intrinsic motivation - identified regulation, (3) introjected regulation - social approval, (4) introjected regulation - social pressure, and (5) external regulation - instrumental needs. The scale does not have a total score; subscale scores are evaluated individually. A higher score on a subscale indicates greater motivation in the domain represented by that subscale.

    Measured: Assessed during ongoing breastfeeding up to 24 months 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: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months postpartum

  3. Breastfeeding Problems Assessment Scale

    The Breastfeeding Problems Assessment Scale was developed by Karen Wambach in 1990. The validity and reliability of the Turkish version were established by Uyanık in 2019, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.776. Turkish form consists only of the first section, containing 18 items across five subscales: mechanical concerns, process concerns, insufficient milk concerns, nipple concerns, and social concerns. Items are scored as follows: 1 = none, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe, 5 = unbearable. Total scores range from 18 to 90, with higher scores indicating more severe breastfeeding problems. The scale has been reported as a valid tool for the Turkish population. In the present study, Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.83.

    Measured: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months postpartum

Timeline

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

  1. First posted7 Apr 2026
  2. Study start15 Mar 2024
  3. Primary completion27 Mar 2026
  4. Study completion27 Mar 2026

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 prospective 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
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07516041
Sponsor's protocol ID
UU-26-DIGI-BF-MUSE/AAKKAYAGUL
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
27 Mar 2026
Last updated
7 Apr 2026
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.

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 and Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest 2) 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 6 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 7 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?

Breastfeeding Motivation Scale (time frame: Assessed during ongoing breastfeeding up to 24 months 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?
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 7 Apr 2026.

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