Effectiveness of Metaverse-Based Immersive Technology Intervention for Oral Health Education: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: In the last couple of years, the reach of the Internet is leading the world into a unique virtual dimension. Immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), extended reality (XR), and metaverse offer diverse virtual experiences and are gaining attention for their supportive role in addressing general health and oral health concerns. Dwivedi et al., in 2022, discussed and set out the potential research agenda in the metaverse in education and health. The metaverse environment offers users an immersive component and experience compared to the traditional environment . According to Locurcio, oral health education and promotion can be provided virtually to target groups and communities through public or private health sector metaverse software for public benefits. Due to no additional cost or limitation in the number of participants, it can educate multiple target groups by providing different sessions from anywhere in the world. These can benefit schoolchildren, teachers, and caregivers. Due to the immersive and interactive nature, the creation of safe and controlled environments and adaptation to the learners' characteristics, immersive technologies and metaverse specifically can facilitate and increase the inclusion of students in educational activities. Hence, the metaverse in oral health promotion and education can revolutionise how people learn, practise, and maintain good oral health. It can also make oral health information more accessible, engaging, and practical, ultimately leading to a positive behavioural change in oral health. Currently, virtual oral health education is often delivered through online platforms like social media, Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. In the future, individually customised oral health education will likely utilise more natural-feeling and immersive platforms, such as the metaverse. The development of metaverse platforms is intricate and context-specific and necessitates input from various relevant stakeholders. Few studies on creating health promotion applications have demonstrated that youth have distinct preferences for digital interventions compared to adults.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of pre- and post-intervention of oral health education using three interventions (conventional methods, mHealth, and the Metaverse platform) on the oral health status, knowledge, practices, and attitudes among secondary school students in Malaysia.

Participants: Secondary school students from identified semi-government school in Malaysia.

Study risk: Participation to this study will not possess any potential risk, and the risk is minimal. Partcipants are free to decline to answer any of the questions that they feel uncomfortable with.

Benefits of the study: There may or may not be any benefits to the participants.

The study involves 15-16 years old adolescents enrolling in a semi-government school in Malaysia which will be divided into three groups that receive three interventions simultaneously at the same time and place (conventional methods, mHealth, and the Metaverse platform)

Duration of the study: Expected to be within six (months) from 1/05/2024 - 31/12/2024

Funding: This research received no external funding.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Policy and Review Board Statement: The study was approved by the UiTM Faculty of Dentistry Research Ethics Committee (FRC) [REC/07/2023 (PG/MR/228)]. Permission was granted from the Majlis Amanah Rakyat to use Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) schools as study sites [MARA.600-6/1/6 JLD2 (56)].

Inclusion criteria

• aged 15-16 years old in 2024
• voluntarily wish to participate in the research with consent from their legal guardians
• enrolled in a co-education school (providing education to both boys and girls)
• willing to commit to the program
• can understand both Malay and English
• participating schools must possess the necessary computer facilities to facilitate this aspect of the study

Exclusion criteria

• aged less or more than 15-16 years old in 2024
• not voluntarily wish to participate in the research with consent from their legal guardians
• not enrolled in a co-education school (providing education to both boys and girls)
• not willing to commit to the program
• can't understand both Malay and English
• participating schools does not possess the necessary computer facilities to facilitate this aspect of the study