Augmented Reality in Learning Anatomy: The TEACHANATOMY Randomized Cross-over Trial

NCT ID: NCT06552195

Last Updated: 2024-08-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

300 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-01

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

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Cadaver use in anatomy education is undergoing several limitations in many universities, due to high costs, time constraints and supply difficulties. As alternatives to cadaver dissections, new teaching methods based on visual technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), are being implemented worldwide.

Augmented reality (AR), based on virtual interactive 3-dimensional elements (holograms) overlaid in the real-world, represents a promising alternative to explore the human body. In this study, we will test the efficacy of AR as an alternative teaching method in anatomy education by comparing traditional learning methods based on 2-dimensional (2D) images, videos, and online learning programs with the novel AR learning module The primary endpoint will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical knowledge tests, assessed at two timepoints: immediately after the study session and after 3 months.

Secondary endpoints will include adverse health symptoms and user experience, assessed immediately after the study session.

Detailed Description

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Cadaver use in anatomy education is undergoing several limitations in many universities, due to high costs, time constraints and supply difficulties. As alternatives to cadaver dissections, new teaching methods based on visual technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), are being implemented worldwide.

Augmented reality (AR), based on virtual interactive 3-dimensional elements (holograms) overlaid in the real-world, represents a promising alternative to explore the human body. In this study, we will test the efficacy of AR as an alternative teaching method in anatomy education. Our hypothesis is that learning with AR is more efficient than traditional learning methods.

Preparation: We will prepare 2 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens to allow visualization of anatomical structure of the shoulder and hips. The cadavers will be obtained from a human body donated for university teaching activities. Using a digital single-lens reflex camera, we will acquire several images. These images will be then converted into a 3D model by the ROCS team at Balgrist University Hospital and optimized for use with the Magic Leap AR headset.

Procedure: Participants (approx. 300) will be randomly assigned to the AR or the traditional learning (TL) group. Each participant will learn one anatomy module with traditional learning methods, which will include books, access to websites, 3D videos, and online learning programs, and one module with the AR-based learning program. The two modules will be administered approximately 3 weeks apart.

Group A: Shoulder anatomy with traditional learning methods and hips anatomy with AR based 3D program.

Group B: Shoulder anatomy with AR based 3D program and hips anatomy with traditional learning methods.

The primary endpoint will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical anatomy tests, assessed at two timepoints: immediately after the study session and after 3 months.

Secondary endpoints include adverse health symptoms, assessed with a Likert scale survey, and user experience, evaluated using an adapted NASA Task Load Index scale plus additional questions.

Conditions

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Augmented Reality Anatomy Education

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
outcomes (knowledge test, adverse health symptoms and user experience) will be assessed blindly

Study Groups

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Shoulder anatomy with augmented reality (AR) , hips anatomy with traditional learning (TL)

Participants first learn the shoulder anatomy with AR. After a washout period of three weeks, they will learn the hips anatomy with traditional Learning (TL) methods

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

learning with augmented reality

Intervention Type OTHER

Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a 20 minutes tutorial to introduce the HoloLens 2 and the TEACHANATOMY learning platform.

* Study session: The study session consists of three learning blocks of approximately 20 minutes each, plus a repetition block to assess the acquired knowledge. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks.
* Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months.
* Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience.

learning with traditional methods

Intervention Type OTHER

* Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a presentation to introduce the study session.
* Study session: The study session consists of the learning resources most used by students: specific sections from four different neuroanatomy books, access to two websites, two 3D videos, and two online learning programs. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks.
* Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months.
* Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience

Traditional learning (TL) group.

Participants first learn the shoulder anatomy with Traditional learning methods. After a washout period of three weeks, they will learn the hips anatomy with augmented reality (AR)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

learning with augmented reality

Intervention Type OTHER

Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a 20 minutes tutorial to introduce the HoloLens 2 and the TEACHANATOMY learning platform.

* Study session: The study session consists of three learning blocks of approximately 20 minutes each, plus a repetition block to assess the acquired knowledge. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks.
* Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months.
* Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience.

learning with traditional methods

Intervention Type OTHER

* Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a presentation to introduce the study session.
* Study session: The study session consists of the learning resources most used by students: specific sections from four different neuroanatomy books, access to two websites, two 3D videos, and two online learning programs. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks.
* Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months.
* Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience

Interventions

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learning with augmented reality

Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a 20 minutes tutorial to introduce the HoloLens 2 and the TEACHANATOMY learning platform.

* Study session: The study session consists of three learning blocks of approximately 20 minutes each, plus a repetition block to assess the acquired knowledge. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks.
* Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months.
* Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience.

Intervention Type OTHER

learning with traditional methods

* Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a presentation to introduce the study session.
* Study session: The study session consists of the learning resources most used by students: specific sections from four different neuroanatomy books, access to two websites, two 3D videos, and two online learning programs. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks.
* Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months.
* Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Medical students attending the 1st or 2nd year of undergraduate medical education
* Must not have prior anatomical education

Exclusion Criteria

* Epilepsy
* 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
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

25 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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ETH Zurich

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Balgrist University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Lukas Zingg, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Balgrust University Hospital

Central Contacts

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Lukas Zingg, MD

Role: CONTACT

0796644805 ext. +41

Philipp Fürnstahl, Prof.

Role: CONTACT

044 510 73 60 ext. +41

References

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Stromberga Z, Phelps C, Smith J, Moro C. Teaching with Disruptive Technology: The Use of Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality (HoloLens) for Disease Education. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1317:147-162. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-61125-5_8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33945136 (View on PubMed)

Bolek KA, De Jong G, Henssen D. The effectiveness of the use of augmented reality in anatomy education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 27;11(1):15292. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-94721-4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34315955 (View on PubMed)

Chytas D, Johnson EO, Piagkou M, Mazarakis A, Babis GC, Chronopoulos E, Nikolaou VS, Lazaridis N, Natsis K. The role of augmented reality in Anatomical education: An overview. Ann Anat. 2020 May;229:151463. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2020.151463. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31978568 (View on PubMed)

Curran VR, Xu X, Aydin MY, Meruvia-Pastor O. Use of Extended Reality in Medical Education: An Integrative Review. Med Sci Educ. 2022 Dec 19;33(1):275-286. doi: 10.1007/s40670-022-01698-4. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36569366 (View on PubMed)

Gsaxner C, Li J, Pepe A, Jin Y, Kleesiek J, Schmalstieg D, Egger J. The HoloLens in medicine: A systematic review and taxonomy. Med Image Anal. 2023 Apr;85:102757. doi: 10.1016/j.media.2023.102757. Epub 2023 Jan 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36706637 (View on PubMed)

McBain KA, Habib R, Laggis G, Quaiattini A, M Ventura N, Noel GPJC. Scoping review: The use of augmented reality in clinical anatomical education and its assessment tools. Anat Sci Educ. 2022 Jul;15(4):765-796. doi: 10.1002/ase.2155. Epub 2022 Jan 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34800073 (View on PubMed)

Moro C, Birt J, Stromberga Z, Phelps C, Clark J, Glasziou P, Scott AM. Virtual and Augmented Reality Enhancements to Medical and Science Student Physiology and Anatomy Test Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anat Sci Educ. 2021 May;14(3):368-376. doi: 10.1002/ase.2049. Epub 2021 Feb 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33378557 (View on PubMed)

Navab N, Martin-Gomez A, Seibold M, Sommersperger M, Song T, Winkler A, Yu K, Eck U. Medical Augmented Reality: Definition, Principle Components, Domain Modeling, and Design-Development-Validation Process. J Imaging. 2022 Dec 23;9(1):4. doi: 10.3390/jimaging9010004.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36662102 (View on PubMed)

Stojanovska M, Tingle G, Tan L, Ulrey L, Simonson-Shick S, Mlakar J, Eastman H, Gotschall R, Boscia A, Enterline R, Henninger E, Herrmann KA, Simpson SW, Griswold MA, Wish-Baratz S. Mixed Reality Anatomy Using Microsoft HoloLens and Cadaveric Dissection: A Comparative Effectiveness Study. Med Sci Educ. 2019 Nov 15;30(1):173-178. doi: 10.1007/s40670-019-00834-x. eCollection 2020 Mar.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34457656 (View on PubMed)

Uruthiralingam U, Rea PM. Augmented and Virtual Reality in Anatomical Education - A Systematic Review. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1235:89-101. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-37639-0_5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32488637 (View on PubMed)

Moro C, Stromberga Z, Raikos A, Stirling A. The effectiveness of virtual and augmented reality in health sciences and medical anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2017 Nov;10(6):549-559. doi: 10.1002/ase.1696. Epub 2017 Apr 17.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 28419750 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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https://www.magicleap.com/en-gb

Magic Leap headsets devise

Other Identifiers

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TEACHANATOMY 2.0

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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