Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education on Knowledge, Skills, and Emotional Indicators in Preschool Children

NCT07518082 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026/05
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

A randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of virtual reality-based handwashing education on handwashing knowledge, skills, and emotional indicators in preschool children aged 5-6 years. The study will be conducted in a kindergarten setting in Istanbul, Turkey, with a total of 66 children who meet the inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a virtual reality-based education group, a traditional handwashing education group, or a control group receiving no intervention. Data will be collected using a sociodemographic information form, a handwashing knowledge form, a handwashing skill assessment form, and the Children's Emotional Indicators Scale. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention.

Conditions

Hand Hygiene; Health Education; Infection Prevention

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Preschool Children; Handwashing Education; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Handwashing Knowledge Level

  Handwashing knowledge will be assessed using the Handwashing Knowledge Form developed based on the literature and expert review. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating higher levels of handwashing knowledge.

  Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Handwashing Skill Level

  Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention

• Emotional Indicators

  Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention

Study Arms (3)

Virtual Reality Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive virtual reality-based handwashing education.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education

Traditional Education Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive traditional handwashing education using standard teaching methods.

Behavioral: Traditional Handwashing Education

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will not receive virtual reality-based or traditional handwashing education during the study period and will continue their routine preschool activities.

Interventions

Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education BEHAVIORAL

An educational intervention using virtual reality technology to teach proper handwashing techniques in an interactive and immersive way.

Virtual Reality Group

Traditional Handwashing Education BEHAVIORAL

Standard handwashing education delivered using conventional teaching methods such as verbal instruction and demonstration.

Traditional Education Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 5 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 5-6 years
• Enrolled in a preschool institution
• Able to understand and follow instructions in Turkish
• No physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive impairment that would prevent participation in the intervention
• Willing to participate in the study
• Written informed consent obtained from parents

You may not qualify if:

• Children aged below 5 or above 6 years
• Children with neurological, visual, auditory, or balance disorders that may interfere with virtual reality use
• Children with orthopedic or motor impairments affecting handwashing ability
• Children who have previously used virtual reality devices
• Children whose parents do not provide consent
• Children who experience discomfort, fear, or adverse reactions during the intervention

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Arel University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sehit Bilal Ozcan Primary School

Istanbul, Beylikduzu, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Ejemot-Nwadiaro RI, Ehiri JE, Arikpo D, Meremikwu MM, Critchley JA. Hand-washing promotion for preventing diarrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jan 6;12(1):CD004265. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004265.pub4.

  PMID: 33539552 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Pınar Akkaya Çomuk, Principal Investigator

CONTACT

+905533905198; pinarsu_akkaya@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: a virtual reality-based handwashing education group, a traditional handwashing education group, or a control group receiving no intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 1, 2026
• First Posted: April 8, 2026
• Study Start: May 25, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)