Immersive Virtual Reality Training for Stoma Care

The Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality Training for Stoma Care on Nurses' Knowledge and Skill, Self-efficacy and Learning Satisfaction

This study investigates the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) training in stoma care on nurses' knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and learning satisfaction.

Using a mixed-method design with convenience sampling, 100 clinical nurses will be recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) to experimental and control groups. The experimental group will receive two VR training sessions one month apart, while the control group will attend a single traditional classroom session. Both groups will follow stoma care replacement procedures established by National Taiwan University Hospital.

Data collection will include demographic information, knowledge/skill tests, and self-efficacy questionnaires administered at three time points: before training, immediately after training, and one month post-training. Learning satisfaction will be assessed immediately after training. Participants reporting adverse VR reactions or scoring below 4 on satisfaction will be invited to one-on-one semi-structured interviews.

This study aims to validate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality training for stoma care on nurses' knowledge and skill, self-efficacy and learning satisfaction.

Skin irritation is the commonest complication of stoma creation. Actuate and comprehensive care for stoma can help to improve patients' quality of life and enhanced outcome of nursing care. Due to lack of consistent, standardized and cost-effective training program, motivation of this study is development of it.

A mixed-method design with convenience sampling will recruit 100 clinical nurses, randomly assigned (1:1) to experimental and control groups. The experimental group will receive two VR training sessions one month apart, while the control group will attend a single traditional classroom session. Both groups will follow stoma care replacement procedures developed by National Taiwan University Hospital, which includes preparation of materials, skin cleansing, stoma pouch application, and key considerations for proper attachment.

Data collection includes demographics, knowledge/skill tests, and self-efficacy questionnaires at three time points: pre-training, immediately post-training, and one month post-training. Learning satisfaction will be assessed immediately after training. Participants with adverse VR reactions or satisfaction scores below 4 will be invited to one-on-one semi-structured interviews.

Data analysis conducts by a SPSS software (version 27.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, United States). Descriptive statistics include mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution for analyzing the demographic characteristics, and scores of test and questionnaires; independent t-test will be applied for comparing the difference between groups; and qualitative content analysis will be used to understand the management experience on adverse reaction of immersive virtual reality training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Full-time registered nurses employed at the study institution or nursing students currently enrolled in a formal nursing program
• Willing to participate in the study and able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior participation in virtual reality-based ostomy care training
• Self-reported history of significant discomfort during VR use (e.g., dizziness, nausea, or other physical discomfort)
• Individuals who consider themselves unable or unwilling to undergo VR training