TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive Load in Mastoidectomy Skills Training
T2 - Virtual Reality Simulation and Traditional Dissection Compared
AU - Andersen, Steven Arild Wuyts
AU - Mikkelsen, Peter Trier
AU - Konge, Lars
AU - Cayé-Thomasen, Per
AU - Sørensen, Mads Sølvsten
N1 - Copyright © 2015 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - Objective The cognitive load (CL) theoretical framework suggests that working memory is limited, which has implications for learning and skills acquisition. Complex learning situations such as surgical skills training can potentially induce a cognitive overload, inhibiting learning. This study aims to compare CL in traditional cadaveric dissection training and virtual reality (VR) simulation training of mastoidectomy. Design A prospective, crossover study. Participants performed cadaveric dissection before VR simulation of the procedure or vice versa. CL was estimated by secondary-task reaction time testing at baseline and during the procedure in both training modalities. Setting The national Danish temporal bone course. Participants A total of 40 novice otorhinolaryngology residents. Results Reaction time was increased by 20% in VR simulation training and 55% in cadaveric dissection training of mastoidectomy compared with baseline measurements. Traditional dissection training increased CL significantly more than VR simulation training (p < 0.001). Conclusions VR simulation training imposed a lower CL than traditional cadaveric dissection training of mastoidectomy. Learning complex surgical skills can be a challenge for the novice and mastoidectomy skills training could potentially be optimized by employing VR simulation training first because of the lower CL. Traditional dissection training could then be used to supplement skills training after basic competencies have been acquired in the VR simulation.
AB - Objective The cognitive load (CL) theoretical framework suggests that working memory is limited, which has implications for learning and skills acquisition. Complex learning situations such as surgical skills training can potentially induce a cognitive overload, inhibiting learning. This study aims to compare CL in traditional cadaveric dissection training and virtual reality (VR) simulation training of mastoidectomy. Design A prospective, crossover study. Participants performed cadaveric dissection before VR simulation of the procedure or vice versa. CL was estimated by secondary-task reaction time testing at baseline and during the procedure in both training modalities. Setting The national Danish temporal bone course. Participants A total of 40 novice otorhinolaryngology residents. Results Reaction time was increased by 20% in VR simulation training and 55% in cadaveric dissection training of mastoidectomy compared with baseline measurements. Traditional dissection training increased CL significantly more than VR simulation training (p < 0.001). Conclusions VR simulation training imposed a lower CL than traditional cadaveric dissection training of mastoidectomy. Learning complex surgical skills can be a challenge for the novice and mastoidectomy skills training could potentially be optimized by employing VR simulation training first because of the lower CL. Traditional dissection training could then be used to supplement skills training after basic competencies have been acquired in the VR simulation.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jsurg.2015.09.010
DO - 10.1016/j.jsurg.2015.09.010
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 26481267
SN - 1931-7204
VL - 73
SP - 45
EP - 50
JO - Journal of Surgical Education
JF - Journal of Surgical Education
IS - 1
ER -