Effects of Cadaveric Training on Clinical Confidence in Upper Extremity Ultrasound-Guided Procedures (UECAD-USG)

Effects of Cadaveric Training on Clinical Confidence in Upper Extremity Ultrasound-Guided Procedures: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

This prospective observational study evaluates the effects of a structured cadaveric workshop on physicians' self-reported confidence in performing upper extremity ultrasound-guided procedures. The workshop consisted of theoretical instruction and supervised hands-on cadaveric practice focusing on shoulder, elbow, and wrist procedures. Confidence levels were assessed before and after the workshop using standardized questionnaires. The study also examined the influence of prior ultrasound experience, procedural volume, and academic seniority on baseline confidence and post-workshop improvement.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Medical Education; Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Cadaveric Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Workshop

Detailed Description

Ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal procedures are increasingly used in daily clinical practice because they improve procedural accuracy and reduce complication risk. However, upper extremity procedures require advanced sonoanatomical knowledge and technical proficiency due to the proximity of neurovascular structures and anatomical variability. Cadaveric workshops provide a realistic educational environment in which physicians can improve probe handling, needle guidance, and procedural confidence before performing these procedures in clinical settings.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a one-day cadaveric musculoskeletal ultrasonography workshop focused on upper extremity ultrasound-guided procedures. The workshop included theoretical lectures and supervised hands-on cadaveric practice involving shoulder, elbow, and wrist procedures. Participants completed pre- and post-workshop questionnaires assessing self-reported confidence levels.

The primary objective was to determine changes in procedural confidence following workshop participation. Secondary objectives included evaluating the effects of prior ultrasound training, years of musculoskeletal ultrasonography experience, procedural volume, and academic seniority on baseline confidence and confidence improvement after the course.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 78

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Koç University School of Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Physicians and physical medicine and rehabilitation trainees participating in cadaveric musculoskeletal ultrasonography workshops focused on upper extremity ultrasound-guided procedures.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Physicians participating in the cadaveric musculoskeletal ultrasonography workshop
• Willingness to complete pre- and post-workshop questionnaires
• Age ≥18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to complete both pre- and post-workshop assessments
• Withdrawal from the workshop before completion

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Workshop Participants; Physicians participating in a cadaveric musculoskeletal ultrasonography workshop focused on upper extremity ultrasound-guided procedures involving the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.

Other: Cadaveric Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Workshop; Participants attended a structured one-day cadaveric musculoskeletal ultrasonography workshop consisting of theoretical lectures and supervised hands-on practice sessions. The workshop focused on upper extremity ultrasound-guided procedures involving the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Participants practiced probe positioning, sonoanatomical identification, and needle guidance techniques on cadaveric specimens under direct supervision by experienced instructors.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Self-Reported Confidence for Upper Extremity Ultrasound-Guided Procedures	Self-reported confidence scores for shoulder, elbow, and wrist ultrasound-guided procedures assessed using a 5-point Likert scale before and immediately after the cadaveric workshop.	Immediately before and immediately after the workshop

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Participant Satisfaction With the Educational Workshop	Participant ratings regarding workshop content, practical applications, educational quality, and organizational aspects assessed using post-workshop questionnaires.	Immediately after the workshop

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Zure M, Topaloglu M, Is EE, Sezikli S, Sarikaya D, Diracoglu D. Advancing skills and confidence in ultrasound-guided injection techniques: the impact of a cadaveric workshop. BMC Med Educ. 2025 May 12;25(1):696. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07270-z.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 27, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): February 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 22, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 29, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 22, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Upper Extremity; Medical Education; Simulation Training; Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography; Cadaveric Training; Ultrasound-Guided Procedures; Procedural Confidence; Ultrasound-Guided Injections
• Other Study ID Numbers: UE-CAD-USG-2026-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: De-identified participant-level questionnaire data, including demographic characteristics, professional background information, and pre- and post-workshop confidence assessments, will be shared.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Beginning 6 months after publication of the study results and continuing for 5 years following publication.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Access to de-identified participant-level data and supporting documents will be provided to qualified researchers who submit a methodologically sound research proposal. Data will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author and may be used for educational or musculoskeletal ultrasonography research purposes.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No