Effectiveness of a digital game based study guide on head trauma assessment on knowledge and practical skills of nursing students: a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND: Head trauma is the most common injury from accidents, making rapid and accurate assessment crucial. Incorrect evaluations can lead to serious complications, including brain dysfunction and death. Thus, it is vital to teach nursing students proper assessment techniques. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a digital game-based study guide for enhancing nursing students' knowledge and practical skills in head trauma assessment. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study involved nursing students in their 8th semester at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2024, randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Data collection occurred from May to July 2024. Both groups received two 2-hour face-to-face educational sessions in one week. The intervention group then utilized the digital game-based study guide. Knowledge and practical skills were assessed using a trauma evaluation tool and compared between groups, with data analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Ninety-three nursing students participated (44 males and 49 females), with a mean age of 22.78 years (SD = 1.24). A paired samples t-test showed statistically significant knowledge improvement in both groups (P < 0.05). An independent samples t-test indicated statistically significant differences in knowledge and practical skills between groups post-intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study shows that a digital game-based study guide significantly enhances nursing students' knowledge and skills in head trauma assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir ) with the IRCT ID: IRCT20210131050189N10, and it received approval on July 21, 2024.