Role-Playing Method in Epilepsy Teaching Among Nursing Students (RPET)

The Effects of Role-Playing Method in Epilepsy Teaching on Nurse-Patient Communication Skills, Self-Efficacy, and Knowledge Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Hainan Province, China

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a role-playing method in epilepsy teaching on nurse-patient communication skills, self-efficacy, and knowledge among undergraduate nursing students in Hainan Province, China. Participants will be undergraduate nursing students who meet the eligibility criteria. They will be assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive epilepsy teaching using the role-playing method, while the control group will receive conventional teaching. The outcomes will include nurse-patient communication skills, self-efficacy, and epilepsy-related knowledge. The findings of this study may provide evidence for improving nursing education methods and enhancing undergraduate nursing students' learning outcomes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Epilepsy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Role-Playing Method in Epilepsy Teaching; Behavioral: Lecture-Based Epilepsy Teaching

Detailed Description

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, and nurses play an important role in patient education, communication, and care. Undergraduate nursing students need to develop sufficient epilepsy-related knowledge, confidence, and communication skills before entering clinical practice. Traditional teaching methods may not fully support the development of practical communication skills. Role-playing is an interactive teaching method that allows students to practice nurse-patient communication in simulated clinical scenarios.

This study will examine whether the role-playing method in epilepsy teaching can improve nurse-patient communication skills, self-efficacy, and knowledge among undergraduate nursing students in Hainan Province, China. Eligible participants will be assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive epilepsy teaching using role-playing activities based on nurse-patient communication scenarios, while the control group will receive conventional teaching. Outcomes will be assessed using appropriate measurement tools before and after the intervention.

The results of this study are expected to provide evidence for the application of role-playing methods in nursing education and may help improve the teaching of epilepsy-related nursing care.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 135
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Hainan
    • Haikou, Hainan, China
      • Hainan Medical University
    • Haikou, Hainan, China
      • Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Third-year undergraduate nursing students enrolled in September 2021 at Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology and Hainan Medical University.

Students who have not received previous training in epilepsy. Students who are able to use a smartphone to complete the questionnaires. Students who are unfamiliar with the role-playing method.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students who are on long leaves of absence. Students who are absent from training sessions for more than one session. Students who are enrolled in another study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Role-Playing Method Group; Participants in this group will receive epilepsy teaching using the role-playing method. The teaching includes structured role-play activities and simulated nurse-patient communication scenarios related to epilepsy care.	Behavioral: Role-Playing Method in Epilepsy Teaching; The intervention consists of epilepsy teaching delivered through structured role-playing activities. Students will participate in simulated nurse-patient communication scenarios related to epilepsy care, including seizure recognition, nursing response, patient education, and communication with patients and family members.
Active Comparator: Lecture-Based Teaching Group; Participants in this group will receive conventional lecture-based epilepsy teaching.	Behavioral: Lecture-Based Epilepsy Teaching; The control group will receive conventional lecture-based teaching on epilepsy care. The teaching will focus on epilepsy-related knowledge and nursing care content through regular classroom instruction.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Knowledge of Epilepsy Score	Knowledge of epilepsy will be assessed using a Knowledge of Epilepsy Questionnaire. The score will be used to evaluate students' epilepsy-related knowledge before and after the teaching intervention. Higher scores indicate better knowledge of epilepsy.	Baseline, Week 3, and Week 8
Change in General Self-Efficacy Score	General self-efficacy will be assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The score will be used to evaluate students' confidence in their ability to manage learning and task-related challenges. Higher scores indicate higher general self-efficacy.	Baseline, Week 3, and Week 8

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Nurse-Patient Communication Skills Score	Nurse-patient communication skills will be assessed after the role-playing intervention using a standardized communication skills assessment tool. The assessment will evaluate students' communication performance in simulated nurse-patient scenarios.	Week 6
Student Satisfaction Score	Student satisfaction with the role-playing teaching method will be assessed using a student satisfaction questionnaire. Higher scores indicate higher satisfaction with the teaching method.	Week 6 and Week 8
Role-Play Performance Score	Students' role-play performance will be assessed after the intervention using a standardized performance evaluation form. The assessment will evaluate students' performance in simulated epilepsy care scenarios.	Week 6
Student Satisfaction Score	Student satisfaction with the role-playing method in epilepsy teaching will be assessed using a student satisfaction questionnaire. The score will be used to evaluate students' satisfaction with the teaching method after the intervention. Higher scores indicate higher satisfaction.	Week 6 and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 20, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 15, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 18, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Randomized Controlled Trial; Self-Efficacy; Nursing Education; Undergraduate Nursing Students; Role-Playing Method; Nurse-Patient Communication; Epilepsy Knowledge
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Epilepsy
• Other Study ID Numbers: RP-EPI-RCT-2026; REC/02/2024 (PG/MR/90) (Other Identifier: Universiti Teknologi MARA Research Ethics Committee)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because the data involve undergraduate students and are subject to ethical and confidentiality restrictions.

Drug and device information, study documents

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