The effect of crossword puzzles on nursing students' learning of concepts related to pain management course: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Nursing students encounter various terms and concepts during their undergraduate education. Repeating and reinforcing these terms and concepts is challenging. Active learning strategies are recommended to enhance students' effectiveness, productivity and interest in the learning process in undergraduate education.Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of crossword puzzles on nursing students' learning success and knowledge retention of the concepts related to the pain management course.Design: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial.Settings: The study was conducted in the nursing department of a state university in the southern region of Turkey.Participants: The study involved 72 s-year nursing students who were enrolled in the Pain Management course.Methods: Data were collected using a "Personal Information Form" and three different "Pain Management Knowledge Tests." While the control group received only the standard lecture technique as a traditional method, the experimental group was exposed to crossword puzzles as an active learning method for three lesson hours following the standard lecture technique. Research data were collected between November and December 2022 in the classroom. Descriptive statistics, the Independent Samples t-test, Repeated Measures ANOVA test and Pearson's chi-squared test were employed for data analysis.Results: There was no significant difference between the pre-test and first post-test mean scores of both groups (p > 0.05). However, the second post-test scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The use of crossword puzzles positively affected nursing students' knowledge levels regarding concepts related to the pain management course.