Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality in Nursing Education Systematic Review

Background: Digital education using immersive virtual reality (VR) technology is available in nursing. Evidence of its effectiveness is essential. Purpose: This review analyzed the effectiveness of and barriers to using immersive VR in nursing education. Methods: A structured search was performed in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Database. The Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument was used to assess the quality of studies. Results: The final review was composed of 9 studies of moderate to high quality published between 2018 and 2020. The review indicated that immersive VR increased learning, cognitive, and psychomotor performance. Most participants of the studies preferred using immersive VR in education and with a variety of experiential scenarios. Barriers were associated with technological hardware and software (eg, simulation sickness, lack of visual comfort). Conclusion: The review supports the viability of immersive VR technology in nursing education.

Automated summary

This review analyzed the effectiveness and barriers of using immersive virtual reality in nursing education. The results showed that immersive VR can improve learning, cognitive, and psychomotor performance, and most participants preferred using it in education. However, there were barriers related to technological hardware and software that need to be addressed.