Clinical Research Directory

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

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of virtual reality-based handwashing education on handwashing knowledge, skills, and attitudes 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 either the intervention group receiving virtual reality-based handwashing education or the control group receiving traditional handwashing education. Data will be collected using a sociodemographic information form, a handwashing knowledge form, a handwashing skill assessment form, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children (PANAS-C). Outcomes will be measured before the intervention and one month after the intervention. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of innovative, technology-based educational approaches in improving hygiene behaviors in early childhood.

Educational Models for Tobacco Exposure Awareness

This is a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of peer education and traditional education on increasing knowledge and awareness of secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke exposure among geriatric care program students. Tobacco use and passive smoking are serious public health problems that cause millions of deaths each year and are highly prevalent among university students. Not only smoke dispersed in the air (secondhand smoke), but also toxic residues that accumulate on surfaces and can be absorbed through the skin and ingestion (thirdhand smoke) carry carcinogenic risks. It is a professional obligation for these students, who are the health professionals of the future, to protect the vulnerable elderly population they will serve from this exposure (especially residues carried on clothing/hair). It is also aimed to protect their own health against the risk of smoking triggered by occupational stress. Traditional education that only imparts information may be insufficient in changing behavior. Peer education based on Social Learning Theory offers a sincere and effective alternative that encounters less resistance among young people. While existing experimental studies in the literature generally focus on "active smoking and motivation to quit," this study fills an important gap by focusing on passive and third-hand exposure. If successful, this peer education model could be implemented as a standardized educational module at the national level in university campuses. Research hypotheses: H1: Students who receive peer education have higher levels of knowledge about secondhand smoke than students who receive traditional education. H2: Students who receive peer education have higher levels of awareness about thirdhand smoke than students who receive traditional education. H3: There is a difference between the pre- and post-intervention and between the experimental and control groups in terms of students' average scores for their awareness level of secondhand smoke. H4: There is a difference between the pre- and post-intervention and between the experimental and control groups in terms of students' average scores for their knowledge level of thirdhand smoke.

Gamified Approach To Burn Education

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether different educational strategies can improve knowledge acquisition regarding burn prevention and first aid among students enrolled in a community-based preparatory course. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does participation in a serious digital game improve knowledge about burn prevention and first aid compared with a traditional lecture? Researchers will compare a serious digital game with a face-to-face educational lecture to determine differences in knowledge acquisition and participant satisfaction between the two educational approaches. Participants will: Receive a brief (5 minutes) standardized introductory explanation about basic concepts of burns; Be randomized to participate in either a serious digital game or a face-to-face educational lecture; Complete knowledge assessment questionnaires prior to and after the intervention; Complete a satisfaction questionnaire; Attend a follow-up assessment two weeks after the intervention.

Effect of Primary Care Education on Parents' Health-Related Perceptions and Attitudes

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a structured education program delivered in primary health care settings on parents of children aged 0-2 years. The education focuses on childhood vaccination and related health perceptions. Parents will receive education covering childhood vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, evaluation of vaccine-related information obtained from digital sources, eco-anxiety, and perceived vulnerability to diseases. The study examines whether this education influences parents' levels of vaccine hesitancy, digital vaccine literacy, eco-anxiety, and perceived vulnerability to diseases. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of effective educational interventions in primary health care services to support informed parental decision-making regarding childhood vaccination.

Women's Healthy Aging and Menopause; (WHAM)

The present study will examine whether women at high risk for developing hypertension, i.e., post-menopausal status, at least mild psychological distress, and mildly elevated blood pressure, show improvements in these risk factors after a 12-week Transcendental Meditation (TM) intervention compared to Women's Health Education (WHE). Positive findings will provide initial evidence of using nonpharmacological methods, such as TM, to prevent hypertension in postmenopausal women.

Nursing Health Education to Improve Functionality and Quality of Life After Ischemic Stroke

This study is titled "Effect of a Nursing Intervention Based on Health Education on Functionality, Depression Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Patients with Ischemic Stroke." It is a quasi-experimental, longitudinal, prospective clinical trial that will beconducted with patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke and were treated in the neurology unit of the Lucus Augusti University Hospital, the same center where this study will take place. The primary objective of the study is to determine the effect of a nursing intervention based on health education on quality of life and depression symptoms in individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke. To achieve this objective, variables such as cognitive status, depression symptoms, autonomy and ability to perform basic activities of daily living, neurological deficits, and quality of life will be assessed. Regarding the total number of subjects to be studied, according to the Stroke Atlas in Galicia published by the Spanish Society of Neurology in 2018, the autonomous community of Galicia had a population of 2,701,819 inhabitants. Applying an incidence rate of 187.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to the IBERICTUS study, an estimated 5,064 new stroke cases occur each year in Galicia. The province of Lugo had 324,842 inhabitants as of January 1, 2024, according to the INE; therefore, applying the same incidence rate, an estimated 609 new stroke cases occur per year. Considering the proportion of ischemic strokes compared to other types of strokes (80:20), the estimated number of ischemic stroke cases in Lugo would be 487. The representative sample size of stroke patients in the province of Lugo would be 70 patients, with 35 patients receiving the intervention and 35 serving as controls. Independent Variables: Sociodemographic: sex, age, event date. Clinical: stroke type, treatment modality (rt-PA or thrombectomy), falls, pain, pressure ulcers, aspiration, pneumonia, dysphagia, vital signs. Health education: received vs. not received. Dependent Variables: Cognitive status (MMSE). Depression symptoms (BDI). Autonomy and ADL performance (Barthel Index). Neurological deficits (NIHSS). Quality of life (European Quality of Life Scale). Instruments Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Barthel Index NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) European Quality of Life Scale (EQLS)

Mobile Prenatal Education for Expectant Fathers and Its Effects on Bonding, Stress, Breastfeeding and Marital Satisfaction

The aim of this interventional clinical trial is to assess whether a mobile-based antenatal education programme for expectant fathers has a positive effect on father-infant bonding, stress levels, and breastfeeding attitudes. The study aims to answer the following main questions: Does participation in a mobile-based prenatal education programme strengthen fathers' emotional bonds with their babies? Does the education reduce fathers' stress levels during the prenatal and postnatal periods? Does it increase the father's knowledge and supportive attitude towards breastfeeding? Researchers will compare whether there are measurable differences in attachment, stress, and breastfeeding attitudes between the intervention group (fathers receiving mobile-based education) and the control group (fathers receiving standard routine information). Participants: Will complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessing attachment, stress, and breastfeeding attitudes. The intervention group will have access to a six-module mobile application covering topics such as infant care, nutrition, sleep routines, health and safety, emotional development, and daily care practices. The study will be conducted with fathers aged 19-65 who became fathers within the last month and voluntarily agreed to participate.

Effectiveness of an Edge AI-based Augmented Reality System for Hand Hygiene Training: a Multi-centre, Mixed-methods Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

This multi-centre, mixed-methods cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an edge artificial intelligence (AI)-based augmented reality (AR) training and assessment system for improving hand hygiene knowledge and practice across healthcare and educational settings. Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which cause substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden worldwide. Despite ongoing education efforts, conventional training methods-such as lectures and standard videos-often lack individualised feedback and interactivity, limiting behavioural improvement. The proposed AI-empowered AR system provides real-time assessment and personalised guidance, potentially transforming hand hygiene education into an adaptive, scalable, and evidence-driven learning experience. The trial will be conducted at three centres: the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong SAR, and Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China. Approximately 480 participants will be enrolled, including 240 undergraduate students in health-related disciplines and 240 healthcare professionals or supporting staff from hospitals. Cluster randomisation will be applied at the session level (6-25 participants per cluster). Randomisation will be performed by a statistician independent from recruitment, and allocation concealment will be maintained. The study will adopt a non-inferiority design, comparing the AI-based AR system against an existing validated educational program combining hand scanner feedback and instructional videos. Participants and assessors of handwashing quality will remain blinded to group allocation. At baseline, participants will provide written informed consent and complete a standardized questionnaire assessing hand hygiene knowledge and practice. They will apply fluorescent powder to both hands and perform an initial handwashing attempt, recorded by an overhead camera. The percentage of fluorescent residue (measured by the Semmelweis Scanner™) will serve as an objective indicator of decontamination effectiveness, while trained infection prevention and control (IPC) experts will independently assess technique quality from anonymized video recordings. These evaluations will also be used as reference data for AI algorithm development. In the intervention arm, participants will perform AI-based AR training sessions providing individualized feedback on handwashing performance. In the control arm, participants will receive feedback from the fluorescent scanner and watch a standard "seven-step" handwashing educational video. Following training, participants will repeat the handwashing procedure and post-intervention assessments, including fluorescent residue measurement and the same knowledge-practice questionnaire. The primary outcome is the improvement in decontamination effectiveness (reduction in fluorescent residue percentage between pre- and post-intervention). Secondary outcomes include correct performance of all seven handwashing steps, improvement in knowledge scores, and user satisfaction. A qualitative component will complement the RCT to explore participants' experiences, attitudes, and perceived barriers toward AI-based AR hand hygiene training. A purposive subsample from both arms will be invited to participate in semi-structured interviews based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. Interviews will examine usability, motivation, learning experience, and perceived behavioral changes. Data will be audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with iterative coding to ensure credibility and consistency. Ethical approval will be obtained from relevant institutional review boards. All participants will be informed of their rights, including voluntary participation and the ability to withdraw at any time without penalty. Potential risks are minimal, limited mainly to rare allergic reactions to fluorescent powder. All data, including video and image recordings, will be anonymised, stored securely, and deleted one year after project completion. No personally identifiable information will be collected. This study will generate high-quality evidence on the feasibility and educational impact of integrating AI and AR technologies into hand hygiene training across academic and clinical settings. If proven effective, the system can be incorporated into health professional curricula and used at the point of care for real-time performance monitoring and auditing, contributing to sustainable infection prevention and control capacity building.

Study on the Effect of a Gamified Health Education Programme on Primary School Children

This randomised study evaluates the effectiveness of Health Education through a Gamified Health Programme on diet, sedentary behaviour and daily physical activity in primary school children.

A Mobile App to Improve 24-Hour Movement Guideline Adherence in Preschoolers

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a home-based mHealth intervention can improve adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines in preschool-aged children (3-4 years old) who currently meet 0 or 1 of the guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can the intervention increase the proportion of children meeting all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (physical activity, screen-time, and sleep)? * Is the intervention feasible for parents to implement, as measured by a parent feedback survey? Researchers will compare an intervention group to a waitlist control group to assess whether the intervention leads to increased guideline adherence. Parents and Participants: * Children will wear an accelerometer to track physical activity and sleep patterns. * Parents will use a mobile app that delivers weekly lessons and behavior-related goals to encourage healthy movement behaviors in their children. * Parents will complete questionnaires on their child's movement behaviors and development at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. * Additionally, children will undergo motor skills assessments, and parents will provide feedback on cognitive development and behavioral changes.

Impact of Education Methods on HPV Knowledge and Screening Behavior

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of two different health education methods (one based on motivational interviewing) on women's HPV knowledge, cervical cancer health beliefs, and screening behaviors in women aged 30-65. A total of 96 healthy women who are registered at the Incirli Family Health Center in Ankara, meet the inclusion criteria, and volunteer to participate will be randomly assigned to three groups (32 participants per group). The control group will receive standard healthcare services. The first intervention group will receive three sessions of motivational interviewing-based health education on cervical cancer prevention through home visits, along with an informational brochure. The second intervention group will receive health education and a brochure, followed by a reminder session via phone. At the end of the study, participants in the control group will be offered the intervention of their choice.

A Quasi-Experimental Study to Improve Breast Cancer Awareness Among University Students

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in early detection and screening methods, breast cancer remains a significant public health issue, especially in populations with low awareness levels. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a breast cancer education program on the knowledge and awareness of female students at Mardin Artuklu University. The study will include 100 voluntary female students aged 18 and older from five faculties, selected using cluster sampling. Participants will complete a Personal Information Form, the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale before the intervention. They will then attend a five-session breast cancer education program, with each session lasting 90 minutes. A post-test will be administered two months after the completion of the training. The education program is expected to improve students' knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, encourage early detection behaviors, and contribute to the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer.

ePlatform for Promoting Health in Schools

There are few public health and educational policies specifically aimed at promoting physical activity, healthy dietary habits, and reducing sedentary behaviour among adolescents from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. ePro-Schools will co-design, pilot and evaluate an evidence-based program, delivered via a modular eHealth platform, to promote physical activity and healthy eating, and reduce time in sedentary behaviours. A profound co-creation process involving adolescents, school staff, and policymakers-alongside the adaptation of previous interventions by consortium members-will support the program's development. The ePro-Schools platform will contain modules for adolescents and their parents, teachers and school administration. Although the platform will be implemented through schools, it will include content to be implemented outside the school setting. The intervention program will be evaluated through a randomised controlled trial conducted in six secondary schools in Central Catalonia that aims to include 1000 adolescents. Schools have been randomised (1:1) into an intervention and a waiting-list control group. The evaluation of the program includes effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and process evaluation. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and eating habits are the primary effectiveness outcomes of the trial. Secondary outcomes include fitness, water consumption, quality of life, depressive symptoms, social isolation and sleep quality. Using implementation science methodology, ePro-Schools will co-design transferable evidence-based practices and methodologies and guidance for scaling up the platform with policymakers and stakeholders, as well as informing specialists, policymakers and the general public.

Community Beauty and Health Program for Older Adults: An Experiential Learning Trial

This study develops and evaluates a "Senior Beauty and Health Care" course designed to improve students' awareness, attitudes, and skills in caring for older adults' appearance and well-being. Using experiential learning and community practice, the course aims to reduce negative stereotypes and boost students' motivation and competence. A mixed-methods approach, including pretest-posttest surveys and focus group interviews, will assess the course's effectiveness and provide insights for future geriatric care education.

Empowering Knowledge, Self-Testing & Resilience Through Innovative Methods for HIV

The goal of this study is to learn whether a digital tool can help improve HIV knowledge, self-awareness, and testing among adolescents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The tool includes online HIV education, a self-assessment for HIV risk, and access to trained peer educators for support. The study will also explore how comfortable and willing adolescents are to use this kind of digital health service. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Can this digital tool help adolescents better understand HIV and their personal risk? * Will more adolescents be willing to get tested for HIV after using the tool? * What factors affect whether adolescents accept and use digital HIV services? Researchers will compare two groups of high school students: * One group will use the digital tool for 6 weeks * The other group will receive standard HIV education (not through the tool) Participants will: * Answer surveys before and after the 6-week period * Learn about HIV through videos and interactive content * Use the tool to assess their personal HIV risk * Receive support from trained peer educators (online) The researchers hope this study will lead to new ways of using technology to improve HIV prevention and testing for young people.

Smart Technology Facilitated Patient-centered Venous Thromboembolism Management

Smart technologies, such as wearable devices, mobile technologies, and artificial intelligence, are being investigated for use in health management. These technologies have the potential to be applied in disease pre-warning, decision-making support, health education, and healthcare maintenance. They are expected to address the challenges in managing thrombosis, improve access to high-quality medical resources in various regions, and enhance the development of a network for thrombosis rescue and treatment prevention. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of mobile venous thromboembolism application (mVTEA) based patient-centered management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on patients' perceptions of thromboprophylaxis, in order to enhance clinical practice and establish a foundation of evidence for managing patients with VTE.

Health Education for Women With Suspeced Infertility Waiting for Specialized Care

Introduction: Infertility is defined as a couple's inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse. In Brazil, it affects around eight million people. While health services provide resources for contraception, little attention is given to supporting conception and preserving fertility. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a remote educational and counseling intervention on infertility. Method: Open-label randomized clinical trial. Couples referred for infertility will be identified in the electronic referral system. For inclusion, the woman of the couple must be 34 years old or less, no previous in-vitro fertilization attempts, and have access to telephone or internet. The control group will follow standard care, awaiting in-person consultation. The intervention group will also wait for in-person evaluation but receive additional education and counseling via video call. The primary outcome is the proportion of correct referrals according to local protocols. A total of 206 participants will be included to detect a difference between success rates of 50% and 30%, with 80% power and a 5% significance level.

Therapy on Perioperative Anxiety and Pain in Patients

This study aims to explore the effects of preoperative education combined with intraoperative music therapy on perioperative anxiety and pain in patients undergoing elective cesarean section. The study subjects were patients scheduled for cesarean section under combined spinal - epidural anesthesia. A prospective study design with random grouping was adopted. Through systematic preoperative education and intraoperative music intervention, multi - dimensional evaluations were carried out to analyze the effects of preoperative education combined with intraoperative music therapy on the relief of perioperative anxiety, pain and shivering in patients, as well as its impact on postoperative recovery and nursing satisfaction.

Active Learning and EBP Competency in Undergraduate Physiotherapy

This study aims to evaluate the effect of an active learning-based educational intervention on competencies related to evidence-based practice (EBP) in undergraduate physiotherapy students. The intervention was embedded within a four-month Research Methods course and focused on small group activities involving literature search, critical appraisal, oral presentations, and formative assessment through rubrics. The study follows a pre-post quasi-experimental design without a control group. Primary outcomes include students' beliefs, attitudes, perceived skills, and frequency of EBP application, assessed through a custom-developed and validated questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include academic engagement, measured using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Version (UWES-S), and student satisfaction with the educational approach, measured using the Student Outcomes Survey. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and one week after course completion.

Effects of Health Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Screening for Cervical Cancer in Women

Women's knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about cancer are very important in the prevention of cervical cancer. In addition to medical interventions, psychosocial support and education programs are of great importance in the fight against cancer. Peer support helps individuals going through the same disease process to exchange information and emotional support by sharing their experiences with each other. In addition, the information obtained through peer support provides more permanent learning in individuals due to the transfer of information based on similar experiences and the creation of more trust and empathy compared to traditional education methods. Peer-supported education programs for women diagnosed with cervical cancer not only provide theoretical knowledge but also support the applicability of this knowledge in daily life. The trainings address topics such as risk factors of cervical cancer, the importance of HPV vaccination, the necessity of regular screening tests and healthy lifestyle behaviors, including attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention and cancer-related information. It is very important that this information is not limited to individual learning and that it is discussed within the group and supported by experiences through peer support, in order to increase the level of knowledge.

Video-Supported Medication Education for Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Quality of Life and Psychosocial Effects

Reproductive health problems, particularly infertility, affect 48 million couples globally, ranking as the fifth most serious global obstacle for women. Infertility can lead to significant psychosocial effects, including stress, anxiety, and depression, with women experiencing these impacts more severely than men. In vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a solution but comes with emotional, physical, and psychosocial challenges, particularly for women, who often experience fatigue, headaches, weight gain, and stress. Effective support mechanisms, such as information and education, are crucial in improving the IVF experience. Video-assisted educational programs have shown promise in enhancing knowledge and reducing stress during IVF treatment. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating their impact on the quality of life and psychosocial status of women undergoing IVF. This study aims to examine the effect of video-supported training on drug use, quality of life, and psychosocial status of women during IVF treatment, hypothesizing that it will improve quality of life, increase emotional capacity, and reduce anxiety.

"Eye" Education for Parents and Myopia Control in Children

This is a randomized controlled trial aimed to explore the effect of behavioral interventions based on doctors' and nurses' health education on the onset and development of myopia in children's. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: eye health intervention, or the control group. Intervention group's parents would reveive eye health education in response to their children's myopia progression at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, while the control group did not receive any. Visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction, axial length, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale were the main outcomes and measures.

Comparative Study of Empathy and Anxiety in the Different Academic Years, at the Beginning of Academic Year and Exam Period in Healthy Students.

Students from different health science degrees will carry out a study on the variables of empathy, anxiety and personality profile.

Smart Technology Facilitated Patient-centered Venous Thromboembolism Management

Smart technologies, such as wearable devices, mobile technologies, and artificial intelligence, are being investigated for use in health management. These technologies have the potential to be applied in disease pre-warning, decision-making support, health education, and healthcare maintenance. They are expected to address the challenges in managing thrombosis, improve access to high-quality medical resources in various regions, and enhance the development of a network for thrombosis rescue and treatment prevention. The objective of this study is to observe the long-term effect of mobile venous thromboembolism application (mVTEA) based patient-centered management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on thromboprophylaxis, and establish a foundation of evidence for managing patients with high-risk VTE.