Hand HygieneVR-HANDNCT07518082
Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education on Knowledge, Skills, and Emotional Indicators in Preschool Children
A study testing Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education and Traditional Handwashing Education in people with Hand Hygiene and Health Education, run by Istanbul Arel University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 5 to 6 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Hand Hygiene, Health Education, Infection Prevention
- What is being tested?
- Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education and Traditional Handwashing Education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 66 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 May 2026to 15 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 5 to 6 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Sehit Bilal Ozcan Primary School
Istanbul, Beylikduzu
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education on Knowledge, Skills, and Emotional Indicators in Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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.
Read the detailed description
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods for preventing infectious diseases, particularly among preschool children, who are more vulnerable due to their developing immune systems and limited awareness of hygiene practices. Although traditional educational approaches can improve children's knowledge of hand hygiene, these methods may not always be sufficient to maintain long-term behavioral change or engagement. Therefore, innovative, interactive, and developmentally appropriate educational strategies are needed to enhance both cognitive learning and behavioral performance in early childhood. Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as an innovative educational tool that provides immersive, interactive, and multisensory learning experiences. By increasing children's attention, motivation, and active participation, VR-based education may contribute to improved learning outcomes, skill acquisition, and emotional engagement.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups: a virtual reality-based handwashing education group, a traditional handwashing education group, and a control group receiving no intervention. The study will be conducted in a preschool setting in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 66 children aged 5-6 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Children in the virtual reality group will receive handwashing education supported by virtual reality technology in an immersive learning environment. Children in the traditional education group will receive standard handwashing education through conventional teaching methods, including verbal instruction and demonstration. Children in the control group will continue their routine preschool activities without receiving any handwashing education during the study period. Data will be collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Handwashing Knowledge Form, Handwashing Skill Assessment Form, and the Children's Emotional Indicators Scale. Outcome measures, including handwashing knowledge, handwashing skills, and emotional indicators, will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality-based and traditional handwashing education on improving knowledge, practical skills, and emotional responses related to hand hygiene in preschool children. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based, technology-supported educational interventions in pediatric health promotion and infection prevention.
- Conditions
- Hand Hygiene, Health Education, Infection Prevention
- Being tested
- Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education, Traditional Handwashing Education
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Preschool Children, Handwashing Education, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Medical subject headings
- Health Education
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing EducationBehavioural
An educational intervention using virtual reality technology to teach proper handwashing techniques in an interactive and immersive way.
Traditional Handwashing EducationBehavioural
Standard handwashing education delivered using conventional teaching methods such as verbal instruction and demonstration.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive virtual reality-based handwashing education. Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education |
| Traditional Education Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive traditional handwashing education using standard teaching methods. Receives: 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Handwashing Skill Level
Handwashing skills will be evaluated using the Handwashing Skill Assessment Form consisting of standard handwashing steps. The total score ranges from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating better handwashing skills.
Measured: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention
Emotional Indicators
Emotional indicators will be assessed using the Children's Emotional Indicators Scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of emotional responses during the educational process.
Time Frame:
Measured: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Apr 2026
- Study start25 May 2026
- Primary completion15 Jun 2026
- Study completion15 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Hand HygieneStudies 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 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.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Arel University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07518082
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026/05
- Acronym
- VR-HAND
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 8 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
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.
PubMed 33539552
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education on Knowledge, Skills, and Emotional Indicators in Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07518082
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VR-HAND / 2026/05
- Conditions
- Hand Hygiene, Health Education, Infection Prevention
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Preschool Children, Handwashing Education, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Arel UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Apr 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.
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.
Detailed description
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods for preventing infectious diseases, particularly among preschool children, who are more vulnerable due to their developing immune systems and limited awareness of hygiene practices. Although traditional educational approaches can improve children's knowledge of hand hygiene, these methods may not always be sufficient to maintain long-term behavioral change or engagement. Therefore, innovative, interactive, and developmentally appropriate educational strategies are needed to enhance both cognitive learning and behavioral performance in early childhood. Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as an innovative educational tool that provides immersive, interactive, and multisensory learning experiences. By increasing children's attention, motivation, and active participation, VR-based education may contribute to improved learning outcomes, skill acquisition, and emotional engagement.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups: a virtual reality-based handwashing education group, a traditional handwashing education group, and a control group receiving no intervention. The study will be conducted in a preschool setting in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 66 children aged 5-6 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Children in the virtual reality group will receive handwashing education supported by virtual reality technology in an immersive learning environment. Children in the traditional education group will receive standard handwashing education through conventional teaching methods, including verbal instruction and demonstration. Children in the control group will continue their routine preschool activities without receiving any handwashing education during the study period. Data will be collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Handwashing Knowledge Form, Handwashing Skill Assessment Form, and the Children's Emotional Indicators Scale. Outcome measures, including handwashing knowledge, handwashing skills, and emotional indicators, will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality-based and traditional handwashing education on improving knowledge, practical skills, and emotional responses related to hand hygiene in preschool children. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based, technology-supported educational interventions in pediatric health promotion and infection prevention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- 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.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing EducationParticipants in this group will receive virtual reality-based handwashing education. |
| Traditional Education Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Traditional Handwashing EducationParticipants in this group will receive traditional handwashing education using standard teaching methods. |
| 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 5 to 6 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing EducationAn educational intervention using virtual reality technology to teach proper handwashing techniques in an interactive and immersive way. | Behavioural | Virtual Reality Group |
| Traditional Handwashing EducationStandard handwashing education delivered using conventional teaching methods such as verbal instruction and demonstration. | Behavioural | Traditional Education Group |
Primary outcome
Handwashing Knowledge Level
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention
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.
2 secondary outcomes
Handwashing Skill Level
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention
Emotional Indicators
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 33539552Ejemot-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.
- 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 Virtual Reality-Based Handwashing Education and Traditional Handwashing Education in people with Hand Hygiene and Health Education, run by Istanbul Arel University 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 6 inclusion and 6 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Sep 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Handwashing Knowledge Level (time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07518082, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 8 Sep 2026.