The effect of leopold maneuver training with hybrid simulation on nursing students' stress, bio-psychosocial response and stress coping behaviors: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Leopold maneuvers are one of the independent roles of nurses to monitor the level of intrauterine development of the fetus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of simulated Leopold maneuver training on safe pregnancy follow-up of nursing students. Methods A randomized controlled experimental design study used a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 4th-grade nursing students (n = 66). The study was conducted between May-June 2023. Data were collected using a form that included 18 issues The study was conducted in five steps. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups. Results The study found that students in the experimental group who received training using hybrid simulation had significantly higher Leopold knowledge (EG = 12.78 +/- 3.06; CG = 5.93 +/- 1.17), skills (EG = 14.87 +/- 2.02; CG = 8.66 +/- 2.43), and correct assessment of Leopold maneuvers (EG = 3.09 +/- 0.81; CG = 0.51 +/- 0.61) compared to students in the control group (p < 0.001). Our study found that the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students (EG = 58.96 +/- 14.81; CG = 79.15 +/- 15.28), Bio-Psycho-Social Response Scale for Nursing Students (EG = 21.81 +/- 7.16; CG = 41.36 +/- 12.41), and Stress Coping Behaviors Scale for Nursing Students (EG = 46.718 +/- 5.57; CG = 37.36 +/- 7.04) scores of the group that received simulated Leopold maneuvers training were significantly different from the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Learning through simulation in women's health nursing education helped students gain Leopold knowledge, skills, and accurate assessments. Simulated education decreased students' Perceived Stress for Nursing Student, Bio-Psycho-Social Response for Nursing Students' levels, and increased their Stress Coping Behavior for Nursing Students' levels.