Mixed reality training to teach cervical effacement and dilation
Official title: The Effect of Mixed Reality Application in Teaching Cervical Effacement and Dilatation on Cognitive Load, Sense of Presence, and Midwifery Professional Perception
Run by Mardin Artuklu University · NCT07238205 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether mixed reality training helps midwifery students learn to measure cervical effacement and dilation while improving their confidence and learning experience.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Months to 35 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Mardin Artuklu University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Mardin) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2025 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | November 20, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07238205 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are midwifery students at Mardin Artuklu University enrolled in the 'Normal Birth and Postpartum Care' course who have not previously received structured vaginal examination training and who volunteer for the program.
✕Probably not a fit
Students who already have prior structured training in vaginal examination, graduates of health vocational high schools, those with visual or upper‑limb disabilities that prevent simulation use, or anyone who does not complete the training are unlikely to receive benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Midwifery students at Mardin Artuklu University will be assigned to either a mixed reality training program or standard education and then complete validated questionnaires on cognitive load, sense of presence, and professional perception. After training, students in both groups will perform cervical effacement and dilation assessments on five laboring pregnant women during routine clinical practice to compare real‑world performance. The mixed reality arm uses immersive simulation of vaginal examinations while the control arm receives traditional instruction. Outcomes include practical performance on patients and scores from the cognitive load, presence, and midwifery professional perception scales.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help students learn cervical exam skills faster and with greater confidence, potentially improving clinical competence during labor care.
How similar studies have gone: Mixed and virtual reality interventions have shown benefits for learning other clinical procedures, but using mixed reality specifically to teach cervical effacement and dilation is novel with limited prior data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Enrolled in the Midwifery Department at Mardin Artuklu University, * Taking the course "Normal Birth and Postpartum Care," * Who have not previously received any structured training (practical training, simulation, etc.) related to vaginal examination or cervical dilation/effacement procedures, * Who do not feel confident in assessing cervical effacement and dilation, * Who volunteer to participate in the study will be included, * Pregnant women who are in the first stage of labor and have no obstetric complications. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who are graduates of health vocational high schools, * Have disabilities in their eyes, hands, arms, or fingers, * Those who do not complete the training will not be included.
Where it's running
-
Mardin Training and Research Hospital
Mardin, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ülkin Gündüz Aruser, Ph.D — Mardin Artuklu University
- Study coordinator: Ülkin Gündüz Aruser, Ph.D
- Email: ulkingunduz@artuklu.edu.tr
- Phone: +905314592113
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Mirror therapy during labor to support mood and calm during childbirth
Researchers are testing whether using a mirror during labor helps pregnant women feel more in control and experience less stress and pain.
-
Using ephedrine to improve fetal heart monitoring during labor
This study tests if giving ephedrine to women in labor who are using spinal-epidural anesthesia can help improve fetal heart monitoring and reduce low blood pressure.
-
Changing room lighting to slow or speed labor contractions
This test sees if altering room light (bright versus dim/red) can help slow down or speed up labor contractions in pregnant people.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.