Effectiveness of Scenario-Driven Virtual Reality for Improving Nursing Students’ Behavioral Responses Toward Older Adults With Dementia: Protocol for a 4-Arm Postintervention Study

Background Dementia training requires innovative strategies to improve nursing students’ attitudes, knowledge, and behavioral responses regarding ageism. Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive learning, but existing interventions often rely on passive 360° viewing, which provides limited opportunities for practice communication. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a scenario-driven, AI-based VR awareness simulation adventure (ASA) in improving nursing students’ attitudes toward people living with dementia, knowledge of dementia, ageism, and intention to help. Methods This protocol outlines a 4-arm quasi-experimental 2×2 factorial design involving ASA VR and conventional lecture-based dementia training. Nursing students will complete preintervention and postintervention assessments measuring attitudes toward people living with dementia, dementia knowledge, ageism, and intention to help. The sample size justification is based on previous VR-based dementia education studies that reported large effects (Cohen d =0.9). Data will be analyzed using a 2-tailed independent t test, paired tests, analysis of covariance, and effect sizes. The intervention will be described in accordance with the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) guidelines. Data management, harm monitoring, and ethical approval procedures are specified. Results Data collection began in December 2025 and was completed in June 2026, with 182 participants recruited. Data analysis is currently ongoing. Findings will report on the effectiveness of ASA VR in enhancing attitudes toward people living with dementia, dementia knowledge, ageism, and intention-to-help outcomes. Conclusions This protocol introduces Indonesia’s first scenario-driven VR dementia simulation training. Findings may inform the development of culturally adapted VR-based dementia training.