NCT07270107

Bobath Instruction in Physiotherapy: Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Methods

Immersive Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Instruction for Teaching the Bobath Concept in Physiotherapy Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR)-based instruction compared with traditional face-to-face teaching for delivering the Bobath concept in physiotherapy education. Third-year physiotherapy students were randomly assigned to either VR-based or conventional instruction and completed standardized theoretical and practical assessments immediately after training and again two weeks later. While both instructional methods resulted in comparable short-term learning outcomes, the VR group demonstrated superior retention of practical skills at follow-up. Findings suggest that immersive VR is a feasible and effective educational approach for enhancing motor skill learning in neurophysiological rehabilitation training.

Detailed description

This two-arm, parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether immersive virtual reality (VR)-based education can enhance learning and retention of the Bobath concept among undergraduate physiotherapy students. The Bobath approach, widely used in neurorehabilitation, requires learners to integrate postural control principles, movement facilitation techniques, and sensorimotor strategies-skills traditionally taught through face-to-face lectures and hands-on demonstrations. Given the increasing integration of digital technologies in health professions education, immersive VR may offer an alternative through interactive, high-fidelity, and repeatable learning experiences. Students will be randomized to receive either a standardized face-to-face instructional session or an immersive 360° VR-based session of equivalent duration and content. Both groups will be exposed to theoretical explanations and practical demonstrations focusing on trunk control strategies, alignment principles, and facilitation techniques. Practical components in both groups will be reinforced through structured small-group practice following the instructional session. To ensure methodological rigor, two independent evaluators blinded to group allocation will assess student performance through a multiple-choice knowledge test and a three-station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), administered two days after training and again two weeks later to evaluate retention. Inter-rater reliability will be calculated to ensure consistency of scoring across evaluators.

Conditions

• Physical Therapy
• Education
• Virtual Reality
• Neurorehabilitation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Immersive VR headset instruction	The study interventions consisted of two educational delivery methods used to teach the Bobath concept in physiotherapy training. Both interventions provided identical learning objectives, theoretical content, and practical demonstration elements related to postural control strategies. The instructional materials were standardized in duration, sequencing, and educational objectives to ensure equivalence across groups. Delivery differed only in format, with one method provided through traditional in-person instruction and the other through immersive virtual reality technology. All students practiced the demonstrated techniques following the instructional component, and no additional instructional materials were provided beyond the assigned modality
OTHER	Traditional instruction	This intervention delivers Bobath concept education through conventional face-to-face teaching methods. The instructional session includes faculty-led theoretical explanations and live demonstrations delivered in a traditional classroom or laboratory setting. Students receive the standardized content through direct instructor interaction, consistent with customary physiotherapy training practices. All participants subsequently engage in supervised practice to apply the demonstrated concepts.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-01
• Primary completion: 2025-05-28
• Completion: 2025-06-30
• First posted: 2025-12-08
• Last updated: 2025-12-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)