Infection Control Training(VIRTIC-Hajj)NCT07111910
Virtual Reality Infection Control Training for Healthcare Workers During the Hajj Season
A study of Infection Control Training and Clinical Competence, run by University of Bisha.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) training on improving infection control preparedness among healthcare workers during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Infection Control Training, Clinical Competence, Virtual Reality
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 20 Sep 2026to 1 Sep 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 20 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 20 and above
- Assigned to work in Hajj healthcare settings
- Licensed healthcare worker (nurse, physician, EMT, etc.)
- Able to provide informed consent
- Fluent in Arabic or English
Who cannot join
- History of epilepsy or motion sickness triggered by VR
- Severe visual or cognitive impairments
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Virtual Reality Training for Infection Control Preparedness in Healthcare Practitioners During Hajj: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Skill Acquisition and Clinical Readiness
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) training on improving infection control preparedness among healthcare workers during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does VR training improve healthcare workers' knowledge, confidence, and preparedness for infection control compared to traditional training?
Are there differences in outcomes between the VR training and traditional lecture-based education?
Read the detailed description
This study explores the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to train healthcare practitioners in infection control during the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. Infection control is critical in such mass gatherings to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and ensure the safety of millions of attendees.
The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate how effective VR training is in improving healthcare workers' skills, readiness, and confidence in infection prevention and control measures. By immersing participants in realistic, interactive scenarios using VR, the training aims to better prepare them for the complex and fast-paced environment of Hajj healthcare services.
Through this research, we aim to demonstrate whether VR-based training can enhance clinical preparedness more effectively than traditional training methods. The ultimate goal is to support safer healthcare delivery during Hajj and potentially apply this innovative approach to other high-risk healthcare settings worldwide.
This study also considers cultural adaptation to ensure the VR training is relevant and meaningful for healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. The findings could have a significant impact on how infection control education is delivered, improving outcomes for both practitioners and patients.
- Conditions
- Infection Control Training, Clinical Competence, Virtual Reality, Health Personnel, Mass Gathering Medicine
- Being tested
- Virtual Reality Infection Control Training
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality Training, Infection Control, Hajj Pilgrimage, Healthcare Workers, Simulation Education
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual Reality Infection Control TrainingDevice
This study evaluates a VR training program designed specifically to improve infection control skills among healthcare workers during the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world's largest mass gatherings. Unlike traditional training, this VR intervention offers immersive, realistic simulations tailored to the unique cultural and environmental challenges of Hajj. It focuses on practical skill-building and clinical readiness in crowded, high-risk settings. Using a rigorous randomized controlled trial design, the study aims to show that VR training is more effective than conventional methods, potentially setting a new standard for infection control education in mass gathering healthcare.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VR infection control training | Experimental | Delivered via a headset-based immersive environment designed specifically for Hajj mass gathering scenarios. Training duration is 30-40 minutes and includes interactive modules and performance-based feedback. Receives: Device: Virtual Reality Infection Control Training |
| Traditional Training Arm | No intervention | Participants in this arm will attend a standard infection control lecture, presented in PowerPoint format by an infection control expert. Content mirrors the topics covered in the VR module but is delivered passively. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Infection Control Knowledge Score From Baseline to Post-Training
Participants will complete a validated multiple-choice infection control knowledge test. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge. A score improvement of ≥15% is considered clinically meaningful.
Measured: From enrollment to 1 week post-training
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Self-Reported Preparedness and Confidence in Infection Control
Measured using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not confident; 5 = very confident). Participants with an increase of ≥1 point in average scores from baseline are considered to have improved.
Measured: From enrollment to 1 week post-training
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Aug 2025
- Study start20 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion21 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Infection Control TrainingStudies 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 - healthcare workers involved in Hajj health services - will be randomly assigned to two groups: one group will receive VR-based infection control training, while the other will receive traditional training methods. The VR training immerses participants in realistic, interactive simulations that replicate infection control challenges they may face during Hajj. This immersive approach allows them to practice skills safely and repeatedly, enhancing their ability to respond confidently and correctly in real-life situations.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Bisha
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mohammed Alanazi, University of Bisha
- Investigators
- Noha M Ibrahim, PhD, Study director, University of BishaMohammed O Alanazi, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Bisha
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07111910
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Ubisha-01
- Acronym
- (VIRTIC-Hajj)
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 7 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: This study will not share individual participant data due to institutional privacy policies and ethical constraints related to healthcare worker data during mass gathering events.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Virtual Reality Training for Infection Control Preparedness in Healthcare Practitioners During Hajj: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Skill Acquisition and Clinical Readiness
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07111910
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- (VIRTIC-Hajj) / Ubisha-01
- Conditions
- Infection Control Training, Clinical Competence, Virtual Reality, Health Personnel, Mass Gathering Medicine
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality Training, Infection Control, Hajj Pilgrimage, Healthcare Workers, Simulation Education
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of BishaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 21 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Aug 2025 (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.
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) training on improving infection control preparedness among healthcare workers during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does VR training improve healthcare workers' knowledge, confidence, and preparedness for infection control compared to traditional training?
Are there differences in outcomes between the VR training and traditional lecture-based education?
Detailed description
This study explores the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to train healthcare practitioners in infection control during the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. Infection control is critical in such mass gatherings to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and ensure the safety of millions of attendees.
The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate how effective VR training is in improving healthcare workers' skills, readiness, and confidence in infection prevention and control measures. By immersing participants in realistic, interactive scenarios using VR, the training aims to better prepare them for the complex and fast-paced environment of Hajj healthcare services.
Through this research, we aim to demonstrate whether VR-based training can enhance clinical preparedness more effectively than traditional training methods. The ultimate goal is to support safer healthcare delivery during Hajj and potentially apply this innovative approach to other high-risk healthcare settings worldwide.
This study also considers cultural adaptation to ensure the VR training is relevant and meaningful for healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. The findings could have a significant impact on how infection control education is delivered, improving outcomes for both practitioners and patients.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- participants - healthcare workers involved in Hajj health services - will be randomly assigned to two groups: one group will receive VR-based infection control training, while the other will receive traditional training methods. The VR training immerses participants in realistic, interactive simulations that replicate infection control challenges they may face during Hajj. This immersive approach allows them to practice skills safely and repeatedly, enhancing their ability to respond confidently and correctly in real-life situations.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VR infection control training | Experimental | Device: Virtual Reality Infection Control TrainingDelivered via a headset-based immersive environment designed specifically for Hajj mass gathering scenarios. Training duration is 30-40 minutes and includes interactive modules and performance-based feedback. |
| Traditional Training Arm | No intervention | –Participants in this arm will attend a standard infection control lecture, presented in PowerPoint format by an infection control expert. Content mirrors the topics covered in the VR module but is delivered passively. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged 20 and above
- Assigned to work in Hajj healthcare settings
- Licensed healthcare worker (nurse, physician, EMT, etc.)
- Able to provide informed consent
- Fluent in Arabic or English
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- History of epilepsy or motion sickness triggered by VR
- Severe visual or cognitive impairments
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 Infection Control TrainingThis study evaluates a VR training program designed specifically to improve infection control skills among healthcare workers during the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world's largest mass gatherings. Unlike traditional training, this VR intervention offers immersive, realistic simulations tailored to the unique cultural and environmental challenges of Hajj. It focuses on practical skill-building and clinical readiness in crowded, high-risk settings. Using a rigorous randomized controlled trial design, the study aims to show that VR training is more effective than conventional methods, potentially setting a new standard for infection control education in mass gathering healthcare. | Device | VR infection control training |
Primary outcome
Change in Infection Control Knowledge Score From Baseline to Post-Training
Time frame: From enrollment to 1 week post-training
Participants will complete a validated multiple-choice infection control knowledge test. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge. A score improvement of ≥15% is considered clinically meaningful.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Self-Reported Preparedness and Confidence in Infection Control
Time frame: From enrollment to 1 week post-training
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 7 May 2026.
- A Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Features for Skill TrainingLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. This study will not share individual participant data due to institutional privacy policies and ethical constraints related to healthcare worker data during mass gathering events.
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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.
Noha M Ibrahim, PhD study director
University of Bisha
Mohammed O Alanazi, PhD principal investigator
University of Bisha
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study of Infection Control Training and Clinical Competence, run by University of Bisha.
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 5 inclusion and 2 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
Contact Mohammed O Alanazi, PhD (+966533993350, malanazi@ub.edu.sa), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Infection Control Knowledge Score From Baseline to Post-Training (time frame: From enrollment to 1 week post-training). 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 7 May 2026.