Perspective or Spectacle? Teaching thoracic aortic anatomy in a mixed reality assisted educational approach- a two-armed randomized pilot study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Anatomical understanding is an important basis for medical teaching, especially in a surgical context. The interpretation of complex vascular structures via two-dimensional visualization can yet be difficult, particularly for students. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an MxR-assisted educational approach in vascular surgery undergraduate education, comparing an MxR-based teaching-intervention with CT-based material for learning and understanding the vascular morphology of the thoracic aorta. METHODS: In a prospective randomized controlled trial learning success and diagnostic skills following an MxR- vs. a CT-based intervention was investigated in 120 thoracic aortic visualizations. Secondary outcomes were motivation, system-usability as well as workload/satisfaction. Motivational factors and training-experience were also assessed. Twelve students (7 females; mean age 23 years) were randomized into two groups undergoing educational intervention with MxR or CT. RESULTS: Evaluation of learning success showed a mean improvement of 1.17 points (max.score 10; 95%CI 0.36-1.97). The MxR-group has improved by a mean of 1.33 [95% CI 0.16-2.51], against 1.0 points [95% CI -0.71- 2.71] in the CT-group. Regarding diagnostic skills, both groups performed equally (CT-group 58.25 ± 7.86 vs. MxR-group58.5 ± 6.60; max. score 92.0). 11/12 participants were convinced that MxR facilitated learning of vascular morphologies. The usability of the MxR-system was rated positively, and the perceived workload was low. CONCLUSION: MxR-systems can be a valuable addition to vascular surgery education. Further evaluation of the technology in larger teaching situations are required. Especially regarding the acquisition of practical skills, the use of MxR-systems offers interesting application possibilities in surgical education.