Effectiveness of game-based education in teaching children the Heimlich Maneuver for airway obstruction

This study aimed to determine the effect of game-based learning methods on children's knowledge and application skills of the Heimlich maneuver for airway obstruction due to foreign body aspiration.

This study used a two-group, pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental design that was conducted in two public schools in İzmir, Türkiye. The study included 60 fifth-grade students who voluntarily participated between December 2025 and February 2026. Following theoretical and practical training in the Heimlich maneuver, students in the intervention group participated in an educational game designed to reinforce Heimlich maneuver skills at two time points. Students in the control group received the same theoretical and practical training and subsequently practiced the Heimlich maneuver individually using a ventriloquist puppet. Data were collected using the Student Information Form, the Heimlich Maneuver Knowledge Test, and the Heimlich Maneuver Skill Observation Form, all of which were developed by the researchers based on expert consultation. Assessments were performed at baseline and at study weeks 2 and 6. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc correction was employed to evaluate changes over time and between groups.

The knowledge and skill scores of students in both groups increased after the training. No difference was found between the intervention and control groups in knowledge scores at the first post-test, whereas the intervention group had higher knowledge scores at the second post-test. In addition, the intervention group demonstrated higher skill performance than the control group at both post-tests.

The findings suggest that game-based education may be a useful approach for supporting school-age children's knowledge and practical skills related to the Heimlich maneuver.

The Heimlich maneuver should be integrated into school curricula as part of first aid training. School nurses can use various game-based methods to teach children the Heimlich maneuver.