Effect of game-based virtual reality mobile application on the nursing students' knowledge and skills on intestinal stoma and peristomal skin care

This study was conducted to determine the effect of a game-based virtual reality mobile application on nursing students' knowledge and skill levels regarding intestinal stoma and peristomal skin care. The research was designed as a single-blind, randomized controlled experimental study. The population of the study consisted of 197 second-year nursing students, and the sample included a total of 104 students, with 52 assigned to the experimental group and 52 to the control group. The students were randomly assigned to the groups using a computer-assisted randomization program. The skill training related to intestinal stoma and peristomal skin care was delivered to the control group through the traditional method of demonstration in the laboratory, while the experimental group received the training through a game-based virtual reality mobile application. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Knowledge Test on Intestinal Stoma and Peristomal Skin Care, and the Skill Checklist for Intestinal Stoma and Peristomal Skin Care. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used in the analysis. To compare knowledge, skills, and retention levels between the experimental and control groups, Mann-Whitney U Test and Independent Samples t-Test were used, while Repeated Measures ANOVA was used for within-group comparisons. The significance level was set at 0.05. The results showed that the experimental group had significantly higher levels of knowledge, skills, and learning retention related to intestinal stoma and peristomal skin care compared to the control group (p<0.05). The game-based virtual reality mobile application was found to be a more effective educational method than traditional training. Therefore, the use of a game-based virtual reality mobile application can be considered an effective instructional method in teaching intestinal stoma and peristomal skin care to nursing students.