Assertiveness Training for Communication Skills

May 3, 2026 updated by: Amasya University

Strengthening the Communication Skills of Oncology Nurses Through Virtual Reality-Based Assertiveness Training

This study aims to determine the effect of virtual reality-based assertiveness training on strengthening the communication skills of oncology nurses.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Introduction: Oncology nurses, who provide professional care to patients and their families during the cancer process, need to possess strong communication skills.

Aim: This research is planned to strengthen the communication skills of oncology nurses through virtual reality-based assertiveness training.

Method: The research will be conducted in the oncology unit of a university hospital using a randomized controlled experimental design. Data will be collected using a Sociodemographic Data Form, the Voltan-Acar Self-Determination Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Emotion Expression Scale, and the Assertiveness Skills Form. Data collection forms will be administered before the start of the intervention and after the completion of the virtual reality-based assertiveness training. The assertiveness skills training group will receive 8 weeks of training content, once a week for 30-40 minutes, in a group training format.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Amasya, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • AmasyaU
        • Contact:
          • Neşe Uysal

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Those who agree to participate in the study,
  • Those who are 18 years of age or older,
  • Those who have been working in oncology clinics for at least 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Those who gave incomplete answers to the scales used in the study,
  • Those who have previously participated in assertiveness skills training.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Assertiveness Skills Training

The content of the Assertiveness Training is based on the assertiveness training developed by Michel and Fursland (2008). Session 1: Introduction, Welcome and Orientation, The Concept of Assertiveness; Session 2: Types of Behavior; Session 3: Assertiveness Techniques; Session 4: Dealing with Criticism; Session 5: Saying "No"; Session 6: Disappointment; Session 7: Relaxation Exercises; Session 8: Application, General Discussions and Evaluation.

First, scenario-based videos will be created to develop assertiveness training skills, and these videos will be integrated into virtual reality glasses. Two videos will be created for each scenario. The first video will address a communication problem experienced by the nurse. The second video will be educational content using effective communication skills in the problem experienced by the nurse. Virtual reality applications will be conducted individually with each nurse.
Other: Assertiveness Skills Training

The content of the Assertiveness Training is based on the assertiveness training developed by Michel and Fursland (2008). Session 1: Introduction, Welcome and Orientation, The Concept of Assertiveness; Session 2: Types of Behavior; Session 3: Assertiveness Techniques; Session 4: Dealing with Criticism; Session 5: Saying "No"; Session 6: Disappointment; Session 7: Relaxation Exercises; Session 8: Application, General Discussions and Evaluation.

First, scenario-based videos will be created to develop assertiveness training skills, and these videos will be integrated into virtual reality glasses. Two videos will be created for each scenario. The first video will address a communication problem experienced by the nurse. The second video will be educational content using effective communication skills in the problem experienced by the nurse. Virtual reality applications will be conducted individually with each nurse.
No Intervention: Control
Control group: Nurses in the control group will not receive assertiveness skills training; they will only complete data collection forms during two designated time periods.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Voltan-Acar Self-Determination Scale
Time Frame: 8 week
This scale was developed by Voltan Acar and Öğretmen (2007) to measure individuals' assertiveness levels. The scale contains a total of 28 items: 17 for the shyness dimension and 11 for the assertiveness dimension. It is a six-point Likert scale. The lowest possible score is 28, and the highest is 168. As an individual's score on the scale increases, their level of assertiveness increases.
8 week
Maslach Burnout Inventory
Time Frame: 8 week
The scale was developed by Maslach and Jackson (1981) and adapted into Turkish by Ergin (1993), the Turkish version of this inventory contains 22 items and uses a 5-point Likert scale with values ranging from 0 to 4. It has three sub-dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Higher scores indicate increased burnout.
8 week
Expression of Emotions Scale
Time Frame: 8 week
The scale was developed by King and Emmons (1990) and adapted into Turkish by Kuzucu (2011), this 16-item Likert-type rating scale consists of three sub-dimensions: positive, negative, and closeness. High scores on the scale indicate a high tendency to express emotions.
8 week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Amasya University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Neşe Uysal, Amasya University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 30, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 3, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 3, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 3, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NU-567

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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