Background Scrub nurses are exposed to significant doses of radiation in catheterisation laboratories, necessitating effective radiation safety training. Traditional training methods may not fully equip nurses with the practical skills required to navigate complex, high-risk environments. Virtual reality (VR) offers an innovative training approach with the potential to improve knowledge retention and reduce radiation exposure. Aims This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of VR-based training vs traditional methods in reducing radiation exposure among scrub nurses working in cardiac catheterisation laboratories in Ukraine. Methods This study employed a randomised controlled crossover design with 100 scrub nurses working in catheterisation laboratories. Participants were randomised into two groups: group A (VR-based training first) and group B (traditional training first), with a 6-month washout period between interventions. Radiation exposure data were collected daily for 18 months using thermoluminescent dosimeters placed at the eye, chest and pelvis levels. A mixed-effects model and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to assess differences in radiation dose reduction between training types. Results VR-based training demonstrated significantly greater reductions in radiation doses compared to traditional training across all body regions (eyes, chest and pelvis), with a medium-to-large effect size (Cohen's d: −0.49, P<0.0001). A significant carryover effect (β=0.283, P<0.0001) indicated that VR-based training provided lasting benefits, while a period effect (β=0.488, P<0.0001) suggested cumulative learning when both training methods were combined. The weak correlation between baseline radiation exposure and dose reduction (r=0.19) confirmed that VR was effective across varying initial exposure levels. Conclusions VR-based radiation safety training can significantly reduce occupational radiation exposure for scrub nurses, making it an effective alternative to traditional methods in high-risk environments. Implications for practice VR-based training should be incorporated into standard safety protocols for healthcare professionals working in radiation-heavy environments. The training can be combined with traditional methods for a hybrid approach, offering cumulative benefits and greater protection against radiation exposure. The cost-effectiveness and flexibility of VR make it a viable option for institutions aiming to maintain catheterisation laboratory operations during training sessions.
Romanenko et al. (Thu,) studied this question.