Background: This study presents an experiment regarding the introduction of gamification strategies in occupational therapy courses. Based on previous studies, the objective is to adapt the idea of recreational escape rooms to educational environments of health sciences like occupational therapy to increase student motivation and promote game-based learning and key skills, such as teamwork.
Methods: Computer software was created for a collaborative escape room which allows on-line simultaneous play of up to 24-30 students. It was tested three times in an occupational therapy degree program with 75 students and it was based on two different subjects, although it can be adapted to others. The escape room was evaluated using feedback surveys and comparing students' performances before and after the game. Descriptive exploratory statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.
Results: An appropriate use of educational escape rooms can have significant positive impacts on students' engagement and learning. Students were found to prefer using gamification tools in their learning. Their degrees of satisfaction exceeded their expectations.
Conclusions: Educational escape rooms may have a positive impact on students' motivation and a statistically significant improvement of test scores after playing was found. Comments from the feedback surveys were used to improve successive versions of the software and design of the game.
Trial registration: T.F.G. n° 2020.038 (Research Ethics Committee of the Principality of Asturias).
Keywords: Collaborative; Education; Escape room; Gamification; Occupational therapy; Students; Teamwork.
© 2021. The Author(s).