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

August 9, 2024 updated by: Balgrist University Hospital

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

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.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

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.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

300

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 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
Other: 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.
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
Active Comparator: 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)
Other: 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.
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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
knowledge test
Time Frame: immediately after the study session, day 1, and after three months
The primary outcome will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical tests. The theoretical test consists of single and multiple-choice questions in which participants will be required to recognize and name the different anatomical structures of the hips or shoulder and their function. In the practical part, participants will be required to mark specific anatomical structures in a 3D-printed anatomical skull model. The duration of the test will be of approximately 30 minutes.
immediately after the study session, day 1, and after three months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
adverse health symptoms
Time Frame: Immediately after the knowledge test, Day 1
Secondary outcomes will include adverse health symptoms, evaluated with a questionnaire to assess presence and severity of general symptoms (General discomfort, Fatigue, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Concentration problems, Disorientation, Neck stiffness/neck pain, No symptoms) and eye-related symptoms (Blurred vision, Difficulty focusing, Double-vision, Dry eyes No symptoms). Presence and severity of symptoms will be rated on a Likert scale from 1 (almost imperceptible) to 10 (extreme).
Immediately after the knowledge test, Day 1
User experience
Time Frame: Immediately after the Adverse health symptoms, Day 1
User experience will be assessed using an adapted NASA Task Load Index (5 questions, range, 1-10, with lower scores indicating lower cognitive workload) plus additional 10-point Likert scale and open-ended questions in which participants will be asked to rank their comfort with the material and hardware and the teaching effectiveness of the software or of the traditional learning methods to learn anatomy
Immediately after the Adverse health symptoms, Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Balgrist University Hospital

Collaborators

ETH Zurich

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Lukas Zingg, MD, Balgrust University Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

October 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 9, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 9, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

August 13, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 13, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 9, 2024

Last Verified

August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TEACHANATOMY 2.0

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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