Virtual Reality vs Mannequin Simulation for ECT Training

(ECT-SIM Trial)

LK
Overseen ByLilia Kaustov, PhD
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this prospective, open-label non-inferiority randomized controlled trial is to investigate if Virtual Reality (VR) based simulation are an effective training tool for novice medical trainees. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is the VR-based electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) training program non-inferior to traditional, mannequin-based ECT training programs in fostering ECT skill acquisition?

* What are the changes in confidence in administering ECT, as well as number of training repetitions completed in the VR and mannequin training groups?

* What is the ease of use of the VR-based ECT training program? Researchers will compare the VR-based ECT training program to a mannequin-based ECT training program to see if the VR-based ECT training program is comparable to traditional methods at training for ECT.

Participants will:

* Complete an ECT skills assessment at the beginning and end of the study session.

* Watch a 30-minute didactic ECT lecture video.

* Be randomized to either the VR ECT simulation group or the mannequin ECT simulation group and be given 30 minutes to practice ECT administration with their assigned education tool.

Who Is on the Research Team?

FD

Fahad Dr. Alam, MD, FRCPC, MHSc

Principal Investigator

Sunnybrook Research Institute

PG

Peter Giacobbe, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Principal Investigator

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for novice medical trainees who are learning about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Participants will be assessed on their ECT skills before and after the study, watch an educational video, and practice administering ECT using either a virtual reality simulator or a traditional mannequin simulator.

Inclusion Criteria

Is a medical student at the University of Toronto
Has not received formal ECT training before

Exclusion Criteria

Visual or hearing impairment that does not allow the participant to use VR
History of significant motion sickness

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Mannequin Simulator
  • Virtual Reality electroconvulsive therapy simulator

Trial Overview

The study is testing whether a VR-based ECT training program is as effective as the traditional mannequin-based training. Trainees will be randomly assigned to one of these two methods to see if there's any difference in skill acquisition, confidence levels, and ease of use between the two.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: VR Simulator GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Mannequin Simulator GroupActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials
693
Recruited
1,569,000+