Una mnemotecnia musical para recordar la técnica de lavado de manos en niños pequeños: un estudio de prueba de...

A musical mnemonic may help children learn and recall the recommended six-step handwashing technique.

This proof-of-concept study was conducted in two toddler-aged (1-2 years) and two preschool-aged (3-5 years) classrooms. In all groups, prose instruction of handwashing technique consisted of demonstrations and poster on Days 1 and 8. One toddler and preschool classroom received additional lyrical instruction with the musical mnemonic. Students were observed at baseline and Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 22 and 29 for completion of handwashing steps. The primary outcome was completion of all handwashing steps (9-point score); the secondary outcome was handwashing duration.

Among 47 students, 378 handwashing observations were recorded over 4 weeks. At baseline, all groups had comparable median [IQR] handwashing technique scores and durations. Scores significantly increased in classrooms with lyrical instruction compared to prose instruction alone at Day 1 (2.0 [1.0 to 7.0] vs 1.0 [0.3 to 3.5], p=0.046, and Day 29 (2.0 [1.0 to 4.0] vs. 1.0 [0 to 1.0], p=.01). Lyrical classrooms saw significant improvement in scores from baseline to Day 29 (p=.002). At Day 29, handwashing duration was significantly longer in lyrical versus prose classrooms (22s [18 to 32] vs. 5s [3 to 11], p<.001).

A musical mnemonic can improve uptake, retention and duration of handwashing technique among preschool-aged children.