Self-Guided Immersive Virtual Reality Versus Mannequin-based Simulators to Teach the Ultrasound-Guided Supra-Inguinal Fascia Iliaca Block (NCT07035015)
Self-Guided Immersive Virtual Reality Versus Mannequin-based Simulators to Teach the Ultrasound-Guided Supra-Inguinal Fascia Iliaca Block: A Non-inferiority Randomized Controlled Study
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This research project aims to see if using immersive virtual reality (iVR) is as good as using traditional mannequins to teach medical staff how to perform a specific nerve block called an ultrasound-guided supra-inguinal fascia iliaca (SIFI) block. This nerve block is important for managing pain in patients with hip fractures, as it can improve recovery, shorten hospital stays, and reduce healthcare costs. Currently, not enough eligible hip fracture patients receive these beneficial nerve blocks. The study will recruit 36 staff and trainees from anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and orthopedic surgery at The Ottawa Hospital. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will learn the SIFI block using a newly developed iVR simulator that uses real human anatomy and allows for practice of needling and injecting. The other group will use traditional mannequin-based simulators. All participants will receive educational materials and videos before their training. Their skills will be tested before the training, immediately after, and again one month later using a hybrid simulator (a combination of a mannequin and a soft embalmed human cadaver part). The main thing being measured is their skill level using a standardized scoring system. The study also wants to see if the iVR simulator is well-tolerated by users. The overall goal is to improve care for hip fracture patients through better, more accessible training for medical staff.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: The Ottawa Hospital — Ottawa, Ontario
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- VR UGRA (OTHER)
- Mannequin-based simulation (OTHER)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- The Ottawa Hospital — Ottawa, Ontario
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (613) 737-8187
Email: yugu@toh.ca
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
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💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.