Surgical Site Infection PreventionPreSSI-DGBLNCT07423702
Effectiveness of Digital Game-Based Learning in Teaching Surgical Site Infection Prevention to Nursing Students
A study testing Digital Game-Based Learning and Traditional Theoretical Education in people with Surgical Site Infection Prevention and Nursing Education, run by hatice akaltun at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of digital game-based learning in teaching evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions to second-year nursing students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Surgical Site Infection Prevention, Nursing Education
- What is being tested?
- Digital Game-Based Learning and Traditional Theoretical Education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 88 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 16 Feb 2026to Feb 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Undergraduate nursing students Students who voluntarily agree to participate and provide written informed consent Students who have not previously received formal education on surgical site infection prevention Students who are able to participate in the digital game-based learning intervention and outcome assessments
Who cannot join
- Students who have previously received advanced or certified training on surgical site infection prevention Students who fail to complete any of the assessment time points (pre-test, post-test, or retention test) Students who do not complete the digital game-based learning intervention
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Digital Game-Based Learning for Teaching Surgical Site Infection Prevention Interventions: A Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of digital game-based learning in teaching evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions to second-year nursing students. Using a mixed-methods randomized controlled design, students will be assigned to either a digital game-based learning group or a traditional theoretical education group.
Quantitative outcomes will assess changes in students' knowledge levels and cognitive load across three measurement points (baseline, 4-week post-intervention, and 8-week follow-up). In addition, qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with students in the intervention group to explore their learning experiences and perceptions of the digital learning approach.
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based educational strategies in nursing education, particularly in the teaching of surgical site infection prevention.
Read the detailed description
This mixed-methods randomized controlled trial is designed to compare the effectiveness of digital game-based learning with traditional theoretical education in teaching surgical site infection prevention interventions to second-year nursing students.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving digital game-based learning or a control group receiving instructor-led theoretical education based on current guidelines. Quantitative data will be collected using a three-time-point measurement design, including baseline assessment, a post-intervention assessment at the 4th week, and a follow-up assessment at the 8th week to evaluate knowledge retention and cognitive load associated with the learning process.
To complement the quantitative findings, a qualitative component will be conducted with students from the digital game-based learning group. Semi-structured interviews will be used to explore students' experiences, perceived benefits, and challenges related to the digital learning intervention. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis.
By integrating quantitative and qualitative data, this study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of digital game-based learning as an innovative educational approach for teaching surgical site infection prevention in nursing education.
- Being tested
- Digital Game-Based Learning, Traditional Theoretical Education
- Keywords
- Digital Game-Based Learning, Surgical Site Infection, Nursing Students, Educational Intervention, Infection Prevention
- Medical subject headings
- Surgical Wound Infection
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Digital Game-Based LearningBehavioural
Also called SSI Prevention Digital Game
The intervention consists of a digital game-based learning application developed to support the teaching of evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions. The digital game includes interactive learning activities designed to enhance engagement and reinforce key prevention principles in nursing education.
Traditional Theoretical EducationBehavioural
The intervention consists of traditional instructor-led theoretical education on surgical site infection prevention delivered using standard teaching methods routinely applied in undergraduate nursing education.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Game-Based Learning Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm will receive a digital game-based learning intervention designed to teach evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions. The digital game includes interactive scenarios and learning tasks aligned with current guidelines. Participants will engage with the digital game as part of their educational activities during the study period. Receives: Behavioral: Digital Game-Based Learning |
| Traditional Theoretical Education Group | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will receive traditional instructor-led theoretical education on surgical site infection prevention based on current evidence-based guidelines. The education will be delivered using conventional teaching methods routinely applied in nursing education. Receives: Behavioral: Traditional Theoretical Education |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Knowledge of Surgical Site Infection Prevention
This outcome measure assesses participants' knowledge of evidence-based surgical site infection prevention practices using a study-specific multiple-choice knowledge test consisting of 20 items (score range: 0-100), with higher scores indicating greater knowledge. Knowledge assessments will be conducted at three time points: baseline (pre-test), post-intervention at 4 weeks, and follow-up (knowledge retention test) at 8 weeks.
Measured: Baseline (pre-test), 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Cognitive Load
This outcome measure will assess participants' perceived cognitive load during the learning process using the Paas Cognitive Load Scale. The scale consists of a single-item, 9-point rating scale that measures the mental effort invested during learning (1 = very, very low mental effort; 9 = very, very high mental effort). Cognitive load assessments will be conducted at 4 weeks and at the 8-week follow-up.
Measured: 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Feb 2026
- Study start16 Feb 2026
- Primary completion30 Apr 2026
- Study completionFeb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Surgical Site Infection PreventionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to either a digital game-based learning group or a traditional theoretical education group.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 88 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- hatice akaltun
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Yuzuncu Yil University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, hatice akaltun, Yuzuncu Yil University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07423702
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- VYYU-SBF-HAKALTUN-003
- Acronym
- PreSSI-DGBL
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Digital Game-Based Learning for Teaching Surgical Site Infection Prevention Interventions: A Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07423702
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PreSSI-DGBL / VYYU-SBF-HAKALTUN-003
- Keywords
- Digital Game-Based Learning, Surgical Site Infection, Nursing Students, Educational Intervention, Infection Prevention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 88 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- hatice akaltunUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Yuzuncu Yil University
- Study start
- 16 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of digital game-based learning in teaching evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions to second-year nursing students. Using a mixed-methods randomized controlled design, students will be assigned to either a digital game-based learning group or a traditional theoretical education group.
Quantitative outcomes will assess changes in students' knowledge levels and cognitive load across three measurement points (baseline, 4-week post-intervention, and 8-week follow-up). In addition, qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with students in the intervention group to explore their learning experiences and perceptions of the digital learning approach.
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based educational strategies in nursing education, particularly in the teaching of surgical site infection prevention.
Detailed description
This mixed-methods randomized controlled trial is designed to compare the effectiveness of digital game-based learning with traditional theoretical education in teaching surgical site infection prevention interventions to second-year nursing students.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving digital game-based learning or a control group receiving instructor-led theoretical education based on current guidelines. Quantitative data will be collected using a three-time-point measurement design, including baseline assessment, a post-intervention assessment at the 4th week, and a follow-up assessment at the 8th week to evaluate knowledge retention and cognitive load associated with the learning process.
To complement the quantitative findings, a qualitative component will be conducted with students from the digital game-based learning group. Semi-structured interviews will be used to explore students' experiences, perceived benefits, and challenges related to the digital learning intervention. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis.
By integrating quantitative and qualitative data, this study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of digital game-based learning as an innovative educational approach for teaching surgical site infection prevention in nursing education.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to either a digital game-based learning group or a traditional theoretical education group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Game-Based Learning Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Digital Game-Based LearningParticipants in this arm will receive a digital game-based learning intervention designed to teach evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions. The digital game includes interactive scenarios and learning tasks aligned with current guidelines. Participants will engage with the digital game as part of their educational activities during the study period. |
| Traditional Theoretical Education Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Traditional Theoretical EducationParticipants in this arm will receive traditional instructor-led theoretical education on surgical site infection prevention based on current evidence-based guidelines. The education will be delivered using conventional teaching methods routinely applied in nursing education. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Undergraduate nursing students Students who voluntarily agree to participate and provide written informed consent Students who have not previously received formal education on surgical site infection prevention Students who are able to participate in the digital game-based learning intervention and outcome assessments
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Students who have previously received advanced or certified training on surgical site infection prevention Students who fail to complete any of the assessment time points (pre-test, post-test, or retention test) Students who do not complete the digital game-based learning intervention
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Game-Based LearningAlso: SSI Prevention Digital GameThe intervention consists of a digital game-based learning application developed to support the teaching of evidence-based surgical site infection prevention interventions. The digital game includes interactive learning activities designed to enhance engagement and reinforce key prevention principles in nursing education. | Behavioural | Digital Game-Based Learning Group |
| Traditional Theoretical EducationThe intervention consists of traditional instructor-led theoretical education on surgical site infection prevention delivered using standard teaching methods routinely applied in undergraduate nursing education. | Behavioural | Traditional Theoretical Education Group |
Primary outcome
Knowledge of Surgical Site Infection Prevention
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
This outcome measure assesses participants' knowledge of evidence-based surgical site infection prevention practices using a study-specific multiple-choice knowledge test consisting of 20 items (score range: 0-100), with higher scores indicating greater knowledge. Knowledge assessments will be conducted at three time points: baseline (pre-test), post-intervention at 4 weeks, and follow-up (knowledge retention test) at 8 weeks.
1 secondary outcome
Cognitive Load
Time frame: 4 weeks, and 8 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Digital Game-Based Learning and Traditional Theoretical Education in people with Surgical Site Infection Prevention and Nursing Education, run by hatice akaltun at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Knowledge of Surgical Site Infection Prevention (time frame: Baseline (pre-test), 4 weeks, and 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Oct 2026.