VR vs Classical Anatomy Teaching (VrISt)

May 20, 2026 updated by: Utku Gürhan, University of Kyrenia

Comparison of PlayStation VR2-Based Virtual Reality vs. Classical Method in Teaching Wrist Anatomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

This is a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled educational trial comparing the effectiveness of PlayStation VR2-based immersive virtual reality (VR) anatomy teaching versus classical (lecture/atlas/3D-model) teaching for wrist anatomy among first-year medical students at Kyrenia University Dr. Suat Gunsel Hospital. Eighty healthy adult students will be randomized 1:1 into a VR Group (30-35-minute PSVR2 wrist anatomy module delivered on PlayStation 5) or a Classical Group (30-35-minute faculty-led standard anatomy education using lecture, atlas, and 3D anatomical models). The primary outcome is immediate post-test knowledge score (multiple-choice questions plus visual labeling; 0-30 scale). Secondary outcomes include a 2-4-week retention test, Likert-type learning satisfaction (15-75), cognitive load (0-10), and incidence and severity of VR-related side effects (dizziness, nausea, eye strain; 0-3 ordinal). Outcome assessors are blinded to allocation. The study aims to evaluate whether immersive VR is non-inferior or superior to classical teaching for initial acquisition and short-term retention of wrist anatomy knowledge, while characterizing tolerability of consumer-grade VR in an educational setting.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This prospective, two-arm parallel randomized controlled educational study evaluates whether PlayStation VR2-based immersive virtual reality improves wrist anatomy knowledge acquisition and retention compared to classical anatomy teaching in first-year medical students.

Background: Carpal anatomy presents significant spatial complexity, making it one of the most challenging regions for early medical students. Three-dimensional visualization tools have shown promise in anatomy education; however, no study has evaluated consumer-grade immersive VR (PlayStation VR2) as a standalone teaching intervention in this domain.

Study Design: Participants are randomized 1:1 via computer-generated allocation to either the VR Group or the Classical Group. Randomization is performed centrally prior to the educational session.

Interventions:

VR Group: 30-35 minute wrist anatomy module delivered via PlayStation 5 console and PlayStation VR2 headset, allowing interactive 3D exploration of carpal bones and surrounding structures.

Classical Group: 30-35 minute standardized faculty-led anatomy session using lecture slides, anatomical atlas, and 3D bone models.

Assessments:

Pre-test (10 MCQ, 0-10): Administered before intervention to assess baseline knowledge; used as covariate in ANCOVA.

Post-test (30 points: 20 MCQ + 10-point visual labeling): Administered immediately after intervention.

Retention test (same format as post-test): Administered 2-4 weeks after intervention.

Learning satisfaction questionnaire (15-item Likert scale, researcher-developed): Administered post-session.

Cognitive load scale (3 items, 0-10 NRS): Administered post-session. VR Side Effect Screening (VR group only): Dizziness, nausea, eye strain, discomfort - 4-level ordinal scale.

Statistical Analysis: Primary analysis will use ANCOVA with post-test score as the dependent variable, group as the fixed factor, and pre-test score as the covariate. Independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U will be used for secondary continuous outcomes. Statistical significance is set at α=0.05 (two-tailed). All analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

80

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 Locations

  • Cyprus
      • Kyrenia, Cyprus
        • Recruiting
        • Dr. Suat Gunsel University of Kyrenia Hospital
    • Keryneia
      • Kyrenia, Keryneia, Cyprus, 60000
        • Completed
        • Dr. Suat Gunsel University of Kyrenia Hospital

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
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • First-year medical student at Kyrenia University
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Voluntary participation
  • Signed written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • First-year medical student at Kyrenia University
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Voluntary participation
  • Signed written informed consent

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: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: VR Group
30-35-minute wrist anatomy education delivered via PlayStation 5 console with PlayStation VR2 headset using an immersive interactive wrist anatomy module.
Other: VR-based virtual reality anatomy module
Immersive interactive wrist anatomy education delivered on PlayStation 5 with PlayStation VR2 headset; 30-35 minutes.
Active Comparator: Classical Group
30-35-minute faculty-led standard anatomy education covering wrist anatomy using didactic lecture, printed anatomical atlas, and a 3D anatomical model.
Other: Standard classroom anatomy lecture
Faculty-led didactic anatomy lecture on wrist anatomy using printed atlas and 3D anatomical model; 30-35 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Post-test knowledge score
Time Frame: Immediately after intervention (same day)
Knowledge assessment combining multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and a visual labeling task scored on a 0-30 scale; higher scores indicate better knowledge acquisition.
Immediately after intervention (same day)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Retention test score
Time Frame: 2-4 weeks after intervention
Delayed knowledge retention assessment using MCQ plus visual labeling, identical format to post-test; 0-30 scale.
2-4 weeks after intervention
Learning satisfaction score
Time Frame: Immediately after intervention
Participant-reported learning satisfaction using a 15-item Likert-type questionnaire; total score 15-75 where higher scores indicate greater satisfaction
Immediately after intervention
Cognitive load score
Time Frame: Immediately after intervention
Self-reported subjective cognitive load on a 0-10 scale (0 = no load, 10 = maximum load).
Immediately after intervention
VR-related side effects
Time Frame: Immediately after intervention
Ordinal assessment of dizziness, nausea, and eye strain, each rated 0 (none) to 3 (severe).
Immediately after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Kyrenia

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 (Actual)

May 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 26, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 26, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 20, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ETK-26 GL-0077

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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