Comparison of the Effects of Three Educational Methods—Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Video-Based Training—on Learning, Educational Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy, and Critical Thinking Disposition among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Hemodialysis Machine Set-Up and Priming

Comparing the Effects of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Video-Based Education on Learning, Educational Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy, and Critical Thinking Disposition in Nursing Students Regarding Hemodialysis Machine Preparation, Set-Up, and Priming

A randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, non-controlled clinical trial on 60 students. The rand function of Excel was used for randomization.

This randomized, quasi-experimental study with three parallel groups will be conducted on 60 seventh-semester nursing students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Following informed consent, eligible students will be randomly assigned to three groups—virtual reality, augmented reality, and video (20 students per group)—and will receive training on operating the hemodialysis machine, covering setup, circuit assembly, and priming.

Inclusion criteria: 1) Written informed consent; 2) Seventh-semester undergraduate nursing students; 3) Completion of the Hemodialysis Intensive Care course; 4) No previous formal training in operating a hemodialysis machine; 5) No previous work experience in this field. Exclusion criteria: 1) Unwillingness to participate; 2) Severe anxiety disorder, based on self-report; 3) Failure to attend the workshops; 4) Being a guest student; 5) Incomplete questionnaire (≥20% unanswered).

Group 1 (VR): Received training on hemodialysis machine operation, preparation, setup, and priming using virtual reality–based educational content. Group 2 (AR): Received training on hemodialysis machine operation, preparation, setup, and priming using augmented reality–based educational content. Group 3 (Video): Received training on hemodialysis machine operation, preparation, setup, and priming through an educational video.

Student learning regarding hemodialysis machine setup and priming, educational satisfaction, self-efficacy, and disposition toward critical thinking.

The study protocol includes information on the clinical trial design and methodology, study population and sample, inclusion and exclusion criteria, participant allocation to the intervention groups, educational methods based on virtual reality, augmented reality, and video-based training, data collection instruments, assessed outcomes, and the timing of outcome assessments. The statistical analysis plan includes the predefined methods for analyzing the study data, including descriptive analysis of demographic and study variables, assessment of data distribution, selection of appropriate statistical tests for comparing the three educational groups, and analysis of the study outcomes.

Access period starts 12 months after results are published.

Eligible researchers and members of research teams who submit a valid research request specifying the purpose and intended use of the data may access the de-identified individual participant data and study documents, subject to approval by the principal investigator and compliance with confidentiality and participant privacy requirements.

Individual participant data will be available in a de-identified form and solely for research purposes and statistical analyses related to the study topic. Access to the data will require a valid research request specifying the purpose and proposed analysis, compliance with confidentiality and participant privacy requirements, obtaining necessary approvals from relevant authorities, and approval by the principal investigator. Use of the data for non-research or commercial purposes, or for any activity that could directly or indirectly identify participants, will not be permitted.

Requests for access to de-identified individual participant data and other study documents should be submitted to the principal investigator of the study. Requests will be reviewed based on the research purpose, proposed use of the data, and compliance with confidentiality and participant privacy requirements. Upon approval by the principal investigator and obtaining the necessary permissions, the requested data will be provided to the applicant.

The requester should submit a request to the principal investigator, specifying the research purpose, intended use of the data, and proposed analyses. The request will be reviewed for scientific relevance, compliance with confidentiality and participant privacy requirements, and consistency with the study objectives. Upon approval by the principal investigator and obtaining the necessary permissions, the de-identified data will be provided to the requester.