Effect of Verbal De-Escalation-Based Simulation on Agitation Management, Perception of Aggression, and Impact of Aggression in Emergency Department Nurses

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

• Ages Any age
• All sexes
• Healthy volunteers accepted
• Child, Adult, Older adult

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

About this study

Conditions

Agitation Management, Aggression, Verbal De-Escalation

Being tested

Standard Verbal De-Escalation Training, Verbal De-Escalation-Based Simulation Training

Keywords

Verbal De-Escalation, Agitation Management, Aggression, Simulation Training, Patient Simulation, Nurses, Emergency Nursing, Aggression Perception, Impact of Aggression

Medical subject headings

Aggression

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

• Standard Verbal De-Escalation TrainingBehavioural

  Participants will receive a five-session standard training program on verbal de-escalation-based agitation management. The program covers recognition of agitation and aggression, perceptions and interpretation of aggression, assessment and safe management of the agitated patient, verbal de-escalation principles and techniques, and approaches to protect and strengthen nurses' well-being.

• Verbal De-Escalation-Based Simulation TrainingBehavioural

  Following the standard training, participants in the intervention group will take part in a standardized patient simulation involving an agitated patient. The simulation includes prebriefing, scenario-based practice, and structured debriefing based on the PEARLS framework. A structured observation form will be used to provide feedback during debriefing and will not be used as an outcome measure.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

1. Change in Agitation Management Knowledge Test Score

   Agitation management knowledge will be assessed using the researcher-developed Agitation Management Knowledge Test. The test consists of 25 items with three response options: True, False, and Don't Know. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge of agitation management and verbal de-escalation.

   Measured: Baseline; immediately after completion of the simulation and debriefing sessions in the intervention group (with the control group assessed at the corresponding time point); and 3 months after completion of the intervention period.

2. Change in Functional Perception of Aggression Score

   Functional perception of aggression will be assessed using the functional subscale of the Perception of Aggression Scale (POAS). The POAS consists of 29 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The functional subscale consists of 12 items. The mean subscale score is calculated by dividing the sum of the item scores by the number of items in the subscale and ranges from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate a greater tendency to perceive aggression as functional, acceptable, and a healthy response.

   Measured: Baseline; immediately after completion of the simulation and debriefing sessions in the intervention group (with the control group assessed at the corresponding time point); and 3 months after completion of the intervention period.

3. Change in Dysfunctional Perception of Aggression Score

   Dysfunctional perception of aggression will be assessed using the dysfunctional subscale of the Perception of Aggression Scale (POAS). The POAS consists of 29 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The dysfunctional subscale consists of 17 items. The mean subscale score is calculated by dividing the sum of the item scores by the number of items in the subscale and ranges from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate a greater tendency to perceive aggression as dysfunctional, unacceptable, and undesirable.

   Measured: Baseline; immediately after completion of the simulation and debriefing sessions in the intervention group (with the control group assessed at the corresponding time point); and 3 months after completion of the intervention period.

4. Change in Impact of Patient Aggression Score

   Impact of patient aggression will be assessed using the Impact of Patient Aggression on Carers Scale (IMPACS). The scale consists of 7 items and two subscales: Corruption of Relation Between Care Provider and Patient and Not Feeling Confident. Total scores range from 7 to 35, with higher scores indicating a greater negative impact of patient aggression.

   Measured: Baseline; immediately after completion of the simulation and debriefing sessions in the intervention group (with the control group assessed at the corresponding time point); and 3 months after completion of the intervention period.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1. First posted25 Aug 2026
2. Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
3. Primary completionFeb 2027 (estimated)
4. Study completionFeb 2027 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Other trials for Agitation ManagementStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
• What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.