The Effects of Simulation-Based Arterial Blood Pressure Training on Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Students

The Effect of Simulation-based Arterial Blood Pressure Training on Theoretical Knowledge and Psychomotor Skills Among Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Students: a Randomized Controlled Study

The aim of this clinical study is to assess the effectiveness of simulation-based arterial blood pressure training provided to undergraduate students in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The main questions it aims to address are as follows:

- Does simulation-based arterial blood pressure training affect the knowledge, skills, clinical competence, satisfaction, and self-confidence of undergraduate physical therapy and rehabilitation students? To examine the effects of simulation-based arterial blood pressure training-in which students engage in hands-on practice-on theoretical knowledge, psychomotor skills, practitioner competence, satisfaction, and self-confidence, one control group will participate in the study.

Participants will:

• All participants will receive standard theoretical training on blood pressure measurement and observe a practical demonstration.
• The intervention group will additionally perform blood pressure measurements on a simulator under the supervision of an instructor.
• Assessments will be conducted at the beginning of the study and 21 days later.

Participants will be assigned to the intervention and control groups prior to the training using a simple randomization method. Randomization will be conducted by having participants draw slips of paper labeled "1" and "2." "1" will represent the intervention group, and "2" will represent the control group.

On the first day of the study, all participants will attend a standard theoretical and practical training session where the measurement of arterial blood pressure is demonstrated step-by-step on a simulator. Participants in the intervention group will perform individual practice on the simulator under the supervision of an instructor following the demonstration. Participants in the control group will only observe the demonstration and will not perform the practice.

Assessments will be conducted at two time points: before the training and 21 days after the training. All participants' arterial blood pressure measurement skills will be scored by two evaluators who are blinded to group information, using a rubric.

In accordance with ethical principles, immediately after all evaluations in the control group are completed (on day 21), members of the control group will be given the opportunity to practice individually on the simulator.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Enrollment in the Cardiac Diseases and Rehabilitation course
• Enrollment in the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program at Acıbadem University
• Voluntary participation in the study and provision of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal to participate in the study
• Presence of any health condition affecting the upper extremity that may limit psychomotor skills