The Effects of Video Game Warm-up on EyeSi Surgical Simulator Performance

A popular crossover fighting video game released in 2001 for the Nintendo Gamecube that emphasizes reflexes and dexterity to perform specific maneuvers will be used in this study as a potential dexterity trainer.

The Eyesi is a training device utilized in many ophthalmology residency training programs to improve intraocular operative skills. The EyeSi is a validated training tool that uses high-end virtual reality that can be equipped with instrumentation for cataract or vitreoretinal surgery. The device itself consists of eyepieces that replicate a surgical scope, a mannequin head where handpiece probes can be inserted and position tracked to virtually recreate a surgical environment. The simulator also has a monitor that can be used to see the surgical simulator environment. As part of the software, numerous training tasks and exercises are available programmed into the device. These exercises utilize numerous metrics such as distance traveled, tissue treatment, efficiency, instrument handing, and others to provide the user with a raw score out of 100 for each task.

Subjects will then be asked to complete a manual dexterity questionnaire including history of video game use as well as tasks demonstrating manual dexterity ability such as the ability to play a musical instrument. Participants will then be randomized to the intervention group or the control group.

The intervention group will be asked to play 10 minutes of the Gamecube game "Super Smash Brothers Melee" as their "warm-up" prior to completing the EyeSi surgical tasks of navigation, forceps, and bimanual with their scores collected and averaged across all tasks.

The control group will complete the EyeSi surgical tasks of navigation, forceps, and bimanual with their scores collected and averaged, but will not perform a "warm-up" task.