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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06788405

Effects of Virtual Reality Hand Hygiene Simulation on Nurses' Hand Hygiene

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are an important patient safety concern, and hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for preventing their transmission. However, hand hygiene compliance among healthcare professionals, including nurses, remains suboptimal. Innovative educational approaches may support the development of hand hygiene knowledge, behaviour, and compliance.

Virtual reality (VR) simulation provides an immersive and interactive learning environment that allows learners to practice clinical situations and reinforce knowledge and skills. In nursing education, VR simulation may facilitate the transfer of theoretical knowledge into practice and provide opportunities for repeated learning experiences.

This randomized controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of a VR-based hand hygiene simulation for nurses. Participants in both the experimental and control groups received standard hand hygiene training, while participants in the experimental group additionally received VR-based hand hygiene simulation. The study evaluated the effects of the intervention on nurses' hand hygiene knowledge, handwashing behaviour, and hand hygiene compliance.

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Key information

Conditions

Hand Hygiene Practices Among Nurses Cross Infection Disease Attributes Iatrogenic Disease Infections Nursing Education Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Simulation Training Virtual Reality

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Aşkin Selvi

Istanbul, Avcılar, 34320, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Nurses who volunteered to participate in the study. Nurses who were actively working in the specified patient care units.

Exclusion criteria

Nurses who had received any hand hygiene training other than general orientation within the previous year.

Nurses with a history of epilepsy or seizures. Nurses with neurological or vision-related disorders that could interfere with the use of a VR headset.

Nurses with motion sickness that could interfere with the use of a VR headset.

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality Hand Hygiene Simulation

Behavioral

Participants in the experimental group received standard hand hygiene training followed by a virtual reality (VR) hand hygiene simulation. The VR simulation provided an immersive and interactive learning environment in which nurses practiced hand hygiene in simulated clinical scenarios. The simulation was designed to reinforce hand hygiene knowledge and appropriate hand hygiene practices through an interactive learning experience.

Standard Hand Hygiene Training

Other

Participants received standard hand hygiene training covering the principles and recommended practices of hand hygiene. This training represented the standard educational intervention and did not include the virtual reality (VR) hand hygiene simulation.

Primary outcomes

  1. Primary Outcome Measure - Title: Hand Hygiene Knowledge

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 2-month follow-up

    Hand hygiene knowledge was assessed using a 20-item Knowledge Test developed by the researchers based on the content of the hand hygiene training programme. The test was designed to assess nurses' level of knowledge regarding hand hygiene. Content validity was evaluated using the Lawshe technique based on the opinions of eight experts, and the content validity index was 0.99. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.739 in the present study. Higher scores indicate a higher level of hand hygiene knowledge.

  2. Handwashing Behaviour

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-training), immediately after the intervention (post-training), and at 2-month follow-up

    Handwashing behaviour was assessed using the Scale for Assessment of Hand Washing Behaviour in the Frame of Theory of Planned Behaviour. The scale consists of 46 items across eight subscales and assesses healthcare professionals' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding handwashing. Higher scores indicate stronger and more positive motivation toward handwashing. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.943 in this study.

  3. Hand Hygiene Compliance

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-training), within approximately 3 days after the intervention, and at 2-month follow-up

    Hand hygiene compliance was assessed by direct observation using the Hand Hygiene Observation Form based on the WHO Five Moments for Hand Hygiene: before touching a patient, after touching a patient, after body fluid exposure risk, before clean/aseptic procedures, and after touching patient surroundings. Trained independent observers conducted the assessments, and each nurse was observed for 25 hand hygiene indications.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Askin Selvi

Other

Collaborators

  • The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

Registry information

Official study title

Development and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality Simulation for Hand Hygiene Training: An In-Service Nursing Education Example

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jan 23, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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