Enhancing theoretical BLS knowledge with virtual reality: a randomized controlled trial in medical students.

Nico Tannemann, Olga Tsarenko, Frank Herbstreit, Margarita Gestmann, Thorsten Brenner, Cynthia Szalai

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Resuscitation plus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

1citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

Virtual reality, real-world rhythm: evaluating gamified training for medical students.Frontiers in public health · 2026
Observational

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nico TannemannDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Olga TsarenkoDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Frank HerbstreitDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Margarita GestmannFaculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Thorsten BrennerDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Cynthia SzalaiDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, including both technical and non-technical skills, is essential for medical students. Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive learning environments that may enhance traditional teaching methods. This study investigates the impact of a single VR session prior to an Advanced Life Support (ALS) course on knowledge and performance of basic life support skills among medical students. Methods: In this single blind randomized controlled trial, 126 fourth-year medical students with prior Basic Life Support (BLS) training were assigned to either an intervention group ( Results: No significant differences were observed between groups at baseline. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater gains in knowledge at both post-course ( Conclusion: A single VR session prior to ALS training enhanced theoretical knowledge but did not significantly affect practical performance. Students were open to integration of the technology into training, so that VR may serve as a valuable adjunct in CPR education. Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term impact and the optimal integration method into curricula.

Indexed as

Digital educationDigital methodsMedical trainingResuscitation trainingSimulation training

Identifiers

PMID41437944

DOI10.1016/j.resplu.2025.101169

PMCPMC12719688

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

LicenceCC BY

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.