Virtual reality versus face-to-face CPR training: stress effects in medical students
The Effect of Basic Life Support Training in a Virtual Environment on Perceived Stress and Measured Stress Responses Compared to Conventional Basic Life Support Training
This project will test whether virtual reality CPR training leads to different stress levels than traditional face-to-face CPR training for undergraduate medical students.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Oulu University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oulu, North Ostrobothnia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07147322 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy first- and second-year medical students (ages 18–30) will be assigned to either conventional instructor-led basic life support (BLS) training or immersive virtual reality (VR) BLS training using head-mounted displays that simulate a public cardiac arrest. The study measures acute stress responses with continuous heart rate and heart rate variability monitoring and with validated self-reported stress and mental workload questionnaires. Secondary measures include VR-related physical symptoms (nausea, dizziness), perceived realism, and usability of the VR environment. The goal is to compare physiological and psychological stress during the two training formats and explore VR's suitability for BLS education.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy first- or second-year medical students aged 18–30 with no known heart disease, no physical limitations to performing chest compressions, and no BLS training within the past six months.
Not a fit: Individuals with prior healthcare experience, recent BLS training, pregnancy, known heart disease, or physical limitations to chest compressions are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, VR-based BLS training could make hands-on CPR practice more scalable and may reduce acute training-related stress, improving learner readiness for real cardiac arrests.
How similar studies have performed: Previous simulation and VR training studies have shown promising improvements in engagement and skill retention but mixed findings on stress reduction and occasional VR side effects like nausea, so VR is promising but not yet definitively proven for stress outcomes.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Volunteers (18-30 years old) will be recruited from first- and second-year medical students * Participants must be healthy young individuals with no known heart disease, normal physical performance capacity, and no current physical limitations that would affect the ability to perform chest compressions. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant individuals will not be included * Individuals with previous healthcare experience will not be included. * Participants must not have received basic life support training within the past six months.
Where this trial is running
Oulu, North Ostrobothnia
- Knoppi - Clinical Skills Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu — Oulu, North Ostrobothnia, Finland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pasi M Lehto — Research group of Anaesthesiology, Medical Research Unit of Translational Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Study coordinator: Pasi M Lehto
- Email: pasi.lehto@oulu.fi
- Phone: +358414341480
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.