Combined Use of Point-of-View (POV) Video and Mental Practice Training Versus Standard Demonstration for Neonatal Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion by Novice Healthcare Professionals: A Randomized Simulation Study

Background/Objectives: Learning supraglottic airway device (SAD)/laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion during neonatal resuscitation presents unique educational challenges for novice healthcare professionals. This randomized simulation study aimed to compare the effects of combined point-of-view (POV) video and mental practice (MP) training versus standard instructor demonstration on OSCE performance, procedural time, and cognitive load in neonatal LMA insertion training. Methods: A total of 52 healthcare professionals with no prior neonatal LMA experience were randomized into two groups: Group A (Standard Demonstration, n = 26) and Group B (POV Video + Mental Practice, n = 26). Interventions were performed on a high-fidelity term neonatal simulator. Primary outcome measures were the total OSCE score and procedural time; secondary outcome measures included the NASA-TLX cognitive load questionnaire, first-attempt success, and critical error rates. Results: In terms of performance, Group B outperformed Group A by demonstrating substantially superior total OSCE scores (19.77 ± 1.58 vs. 16.19 ± 2.08; 95% CI for difference: 2.55 to 4.61; p < 0.001, r = 0.719) alongside a faster procedural completion time (22.38 ± 6.01 s vs. 26.88 ± 8.16 s; 95% CI for difference: −8.50 to −0.50; p = 0.043, r = 0.280). When looking at subjective workload via the NASA-TLX tool, Group B reported a meaningfully lower demand on the effort subscale (p = 0.038). Further evaluation via correlation tests indicated that higher perceived workloads were directly tied to prolonged procedural durations (rho = 0.289, p = 0.038) and lower OSCE outcomes (rho = −0.289, p = 0.038). Conclusions: The combination of POV video and mental practice in neonatal LMA training increases procedural success compared to standard demonstration and significantly reduces the perceived effort required for the procedure. This brief, cost-effective, and scalable cognitive-motor learning model is a pragmatic and robust alternative for integration into NRP simulation curricula. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07678424. Registered 01 July 2026—Retrospectively registered (Retrospectively registered due to administrative delays, with no deviations from the original protocol).