Virtual Game Simulation Effect on Nursing Students' Knowledge and Skills

NCT07242885 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025/01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 130
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study to examine the effects of a virtual game simulation developed for standard infection precautions on the knowledge and skills of nursing students compared to a traditional education method. The study sample will consist of first-year nursing students studying in the Department of Nursing at Sakarya University, Faculty of Health Sciences in Turkey, during the Fall Semester of the 2025-2026 Academic Year. Written permissions for the conduct of the study obtained from the ethics committee and the institution. The study sample will consist of 130 students. The students will be randomly divided into two groups: 65 control and 65 experimental (virtual game simulation). Data will be collected using a "Descriptive Characteristics Form," "Knowledge Test on Standard Infection Precautions," "Skills Checklist for Medical Handwashing," "Skills Checklist for Donning and Doffing Sterile Gloves," "Skills Checklist for Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment" and "Self-Debriefing Form." Knowledge and skills scores are expected to be higher in the experimental group, which received training supported by virtual game simulation in addition to traditional teaching methods, compared to the control group. The results of the study are expected to contribute to the literature.

Conditions

Infection Control

Keywords

Infection Control; Standard infection precautions; Knowledge level; Nursing student; Skills; Virtual game simulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Knowledge

  The study will use the "Knowledge Test on Standard Infection Precautions", developed by the researcher based on relevant literature, to measure students' knowledge of standard precautions. Knowledge Test on Standard Infection Precautions consists of a total of 30 questions, and a higher score indicates a higher level of knowledge. A minimum of 0 (zero) and a maximum of 30 points can be obtained on this knowledge test. In the control group, the test will be administered at the end of the conventional lesson (pre-test) and one week later (post-test). After collecting control group data, the experimental group will receive a theoretical lesson, followed by access to the virtual game simulation via Moodle for seven days. After completing the simulation, students will take the post-test. Knowledge scores will be compared between the virtual game simulation and control groups.

  1 month

• Skills

  Nursing students' application of standard infection control precautions will be assessed before and after the intervention using a skills checklist developed by the researcher. The checklist will include practices such as medical handwashing, donning and doffing sterile gloves, and donning and doffing personal protective equipment. On the skill checklists, "2" points will be awarded for each correct step observed, "1" point for each incorrect/incomplete step, and "0 (zero)" points for each step not observed. Skill assessments will be conducted by two independent observers blinded to group allocation. The control group will receive a traditional theoretical lesson and laboratory practice on standard infection precautions, and end of the laboratory and one-week later skills assessments. The experimental group will receive the same training plus a seven-day virtual game simulation via Moodle, with skills reassessed end of the laboratory and one week later of virtual game simulation.

  3 months

Study Arms (2)

Virtual Simulation Game

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group will be taught a theoretical course on standard infection precautions using the traditional method by the researcher. A knowledge test (pre-test) will be administered, practical training will be provided in the laboratory, and then a skills assessment (initial skill assessment) will be conducted. In addition to the traditional method, students in the experimental group will play a virtual game simulation through the Moodle Learning Management System. A knowledge (post-test) and skills assessment (post-skill assessment) will be conducted again one week later.

Other: Virtual Game Simulation Group and Conventional Education Group

Traditional method

NO INTERVENTION

Students in the control group will be taught a theoretical lesson on standard infection precautions by the researcher using the traditional method. Following this, a knowledge test (pre-test) will be administered, followed by laboratory practice, and then a skills assessment (initial skill assessment). A week later, a knowledge (post-test) and skills assessment (post-skill assessment) will be administered again.

Interventions

Virtual Game Simulation Group and Conventional Education Group OTHER

The intervention is an interactive virtual simulation game designed to teach standard precautions to nursing students. Unlike traditional skills lab training, the simulation presents realistic clinical scenarios in a digital environment, allowing students to repeatedly practice infection control procedures, receive immediate feedback, and utilize critical thinking skills in decision-making. This approach distinguishes the intervention from both traditional lectures and demonstration methods conducted during limited laboratory hours by providing experiential, student-centered, and technology-enhanced learning.

Virtual Simulation Game

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• speak Turkish,
• are taking the Fundamentals of Nursing course for the first time,
• have no previous clinical experience,
• have internet access,
• have no visual, hearing, or motor skills limitations,
• owning a smartphone or computer will be included in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Do not participate in virtual game simulations.
• Do not attend the Fundamentals of Nursing course.
• Do not attend the theoretical course on standard infection precautions.
• Complete incomplete data collection forms,
• Do not participate in any phase of the research; you will not be included in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University: lead
• Sakarya University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Sakarya University

Sakarya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Ordu Y, Caliskan N. The effects of virtual gaming simulation on nursing students' diagnosis, goal setting, and diagnosis prioritization: A randomized controlled trial. Nurse Educ Pract. 2023 Mar;68:103593. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103593. Epub 2023 Mar 2.

  PMID: 36871387 BACKGROUND

• Akın B, Kocoglu D. Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing, 2017, 4(1):73-92.

  BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc.Prof.

Model Details: Randomized controlled trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 26, 2025
• First Posted: November 21, 2025
• Study Start: October 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 10, 2025
• Study Completion: October 30, 2025
• Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)