Effectiveness of Augmented Reality in Anatomy Education: The TEACHANATOMY Randomized Clinical Trial
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Augmented Reality
- Sponsor
- Balgrist University Hospital
- Enrollment
- 48
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Knowledge acquisition
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 2 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the efficacy of augmented reality (AR) in anatomy teaching.
The main question to answer is: Is 3-Dimensional AR technology more effective than traditional learning methods in anatomy education? In this clinical trial undergraduate medical students with no prior anatomy education will be recruited. Participants in the AR group will learn the anatomy of the cranial nerves with an AR application using Microsoft HoloLens 2, whereas participants in the control group will learn with traditional learning methods (textbooks, atlases, videos, and online learning programs).
Detailed Description
Anatomy is a central part in medical training and is traditionally taught through lectures, textbooks, videos and cadaver dissections. Cadaver dissections are important to understand spatial relationships and individual variations of anatomical structures. In many universities, however, financial and ethical considerations, as well as uncommon circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have restricted access to cadaver dissections. Consequently, new teaching methods based on visual technologies such as augmented reality (AR) are being implemented worldwide. AR can generate realistic 3-dimensional (3D) images overlaid in the real-word environment, merging real and virtual world to provide an interactive learning experience. The use of such technologies in education is still in the early stages, and further research is needed to assess their beneficial impact in knowledge acquisition. The TEACHANATOMY project aim to develop a 3D, interactive AR teaching module focused on the anatomy of the cranial nerves. To assess its potential value in anatomy education, the investigators will perform a study to compare traditional learning methods based on textbooks, videos, and online resources, with the novel AR learning module using the HoloLens 2 (Microsoft Corporation). The goal is to assess whether AR technology can improve anatomical knowledge and enhance student's motivation and engagement.
Investigators
Lukas Zingg
Doctor of Medicine
Balgrist University Hospital
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Medical students attending the 1st or 2nd year of undergraduate medical education
- •Must not have prior neuroanatomical education
Exclusion Criteria
- •Binocular vision disorder such as strabismus
- •Current head and/or neck injuries
- •Inflammation of the scalp and/or eye
- •Amputations or partial amputations of the hands
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Knowledge acquisition
Time Frame: Immediately after the study session, Day 1
The primary outcome will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical tests. The theoretical test consist of 23 single and multiple-choice questions in which participants will be required to recognize and name the 12 cranial nerves, differentiate their main functions and the typology (sensory, motor, mixed), explain the relationships between their structure and function, and recognize lesions using case studies. In the practical part, participants will be required to mark specific nerves in a 3D-printed anatomical skull model. The duration of the test will be of 30 minutes.
Secondary Outcomes
- Adverse Health Symptoms(Immediately after the knowledge acquisition test, Day 1.)
- User experience(Immediately after the knowledge acquisition test, Day 1.)