Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Using Virtual Reality Glasses in Prehospital Intervention Training for Crush Syndrome

This research is a randomized controlled study designed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based virtual reality (VR) simulation for prehospital intervention training of crush syndrome for paramedic students. The study aims to examine the impact of VR simulation on knowledge levels, satisfaction, and sense of presence among second-year first and emergency aid students at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Disaster Medicine; Emergency Medical Services; Crush Injuries; Virtual Reality; Rhabdomyolysis
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Virtual reality-based crush syndrome training; Other: Traditional theoretical lecture

Detailed Description

The study will be conducted with second-year students enrolled in the first and emergency aid program at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Fethiye Health Services Vocational School. Participants will be assigned to experimental and control groups using simple randomization. The experimental group will receive training via virtual reality (VR) simulation, while the control group will receive traditional theoretical education. Knowledge levels, technology use, satisfaction, and sense of presence will be measured using various validated scales.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 61
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Süreyya GÜMÜŞSOY, Assoc. Prof.; Phone Number: +90 232 311 20 58; Email: sureyya.gumussoy@ege.edu.tr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Ali AKGÜN, PhD(c); Phone Number: +90 252 211 59 03; Email: aliakgun1980@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Muğla, Turkey (Türkiye), 48300
    • Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Fethiye Health Services Vocational School
    • Contact: Süreyya GÜMÜŞSOY, Assoc. Prof.; Phone Number: +90 232 311 20 58; Email: sureyya.gumussoy@ege.edu.tr
    • Contact: Ali AKGÜN, PhD(c); Phone Number: +90 252 211 59 03; Email: aliakgun1980@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Being a second-year student currently enrolled in the first and emergency aid program at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.

Voluntarily providing written informed consent to participate in the study. Having basic technological literacy to use virtual reality equipment.

Exclusion Criteria:

First-year students who have not yet reached the relevant stage of the curriculum.

Students who have previously participated in a similar virtual reality-based crush syndrome simulation.

Students with medical conditions that may be aggravated by VR use (e.g., severe motion sickness, history of seizures).

Refusal to participate voluntarily.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Virtual reality-based crush syndrome training; Participants receive scenario-based three-dimensional virtual reality simulation training for prehospital crush syndrome management using a head-mounted display.	Device: Virtual reality-based crush syndrome training; A scenario-based three-dimensional virtual reality training program focusing on prehospital crush syndrome assessment and management.
Active Comparator: Traditional classroom-based theoretical lecture; Participants receive traditional classroom-based theoretical education for prehospital crush syndrome management.	Other: Traditional theoretical lecture; Conventional theoretical classroom instruction on prehospital crush syndrome assessment and management.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prehospital crush syndrome knowledge level	The knowledge level of participants is measured using the full 'prehospital crush syndrome knowledge level scale'. The scale consists of 32 items covering four sub-dimensions: general knowledge (12 items), treatment (9 items), transport (6 items), and advanced knowledge (5 items). Each correct answer is scored as 1 point, while incorrect or 'no idea' answers are scored as 0. The total score ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 32. A higher total score indicates a better understanding and a higher knowledge level of prehospital crush syndrome management.	Baseline (pre-test) and immediately after the training session (post-test).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Educational satisfaction level	Participant satisfaction with the educational method (virtual reality or theoretical lecture) is measured using the 'education method satisfaction form'. This is a single-item numeric rating scale ranging from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 10. A score of '0' indicates that the participant is not at all satisfied with the teaching method, while higher scores indicate increasing levels of satisfaction, with a score of '10' representing full satisfaction. Higher scores mean a better outcome.	Immediately after completion of the training intervention.
Sense of presence in virtual environment	The sense of presence in the virtual reality environment is measured using the 'presence questionnaire'. This scale assesses various dimensions such as involvement, sensory fidelity, and adaptation. Each item is scored on a 5-point likert scale, ranging from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 5. For instance, a score of '1' indicates no presence or very poor quality, while a score of '5' indicates a high level of presence or complete naturalness. A higher total score indicates a greater sense of presence and a more immersive virtual reality experience.	Immediately after completion of the virtual reality training session
Technology usage level	Participants' orientation and interest towards technology are measured using the 'technology usage scale'. This scale consists of 13 items scored on a 5-point likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). The total score ranges from a minimum of 13 to a maximum of 65. A higher total score indicates a higher level of technology integration, interest, and adaptation to technological innovations in daily life.	Baseline (pre-test)
Attitude toward virtual reality in education	Participants' attitudes toward using virtual reality for learning and professional development are measured using the 'virtual reality attitude scale'. The scale consists of 9 items scored on a 5-point likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). The total score ranges from a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 45. A higher total score indicates a more positive attitude and higher perceived usefulness regarding the integration of virtual reality into educational processes	Immediately after completion of the training session

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ege University
• Collaborators: Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Süreyya GÜMÜŞSOY, Ege University; Principal Investigator: Süreyya GÜMÜŞSOY, PhD, Ege University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• English: Gunduz, F., & Ersoy, G. (2022). Knowledge levels of 112 ambulance service employees regarding field treatment of crush syndrome: Izmir province example. Journal of Prehospital, 7(1), 37-50.
• English: Panus, U. (2023). Development of an education program to increase the level of knowledge about crush syndrome in paramedic students. Unpublished Master's Thesis, Ege University.
• Usuda D, Shimozawa S, Takami H, Kako Y, Sakamoto T, Shimazaki J, Inoue J, Nakayama S, Koido Y, Oba J. Crush syndrome: a review for prehospital providers and emergency clinicians. J Transl Med. 2023 Aug 31;21(1):584. doi: 10.1186/s12967-023-04416-9.

Helpful Links

• Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Home Page.
• Reports on Crush Syndrome cases after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 12, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 23, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 21, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Paramedics; Simulation Training; Virtual Reality Simulation; Prehospital Care
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Crush Injuries; Rhabdomyolysis
• Other Study ID Numbers: 25-11.1T/50

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in this study (text, tables, figures, and appendices) will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal. The data will be shared to achieve aims in the approved proposal starting 6 months and ending 36 months after publication of the study results.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Data will be available starting 6 months after publication and will remain accessible for up to 3 years.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Data requests should be sent via email to the principal investigator.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF; ANALYTIC_CODE; CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No