Objective. As a basis for an application in anatomy education, vision‐based spatial abilities have been previously correlated with a drawing score based on haptic perception of objects. The objective of the current study was to determine whether a picture could replace a drawing in correlating haptic perception of objects with vision‐based spatial abilities tests.Methods. A cohort of 48 medical graduates was enrolled in a prospective study. Spatial abilities were measured with a redrawn Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Tests in two (MRTA) and three (MRTC) dimensions and a Surface Development Test (SDT). Twenty‐five objects constructed from various shaped parts glued together were identified on a picture by participants after haptic perception. The maximum score was 24 for each of MRTA and MRTC, 60 for SDT, and 25 for the picture score. Descriptive statistics included median and lower and upper quartiles. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to compare the picture score to MRTA, MRTC and SDT scores.Results. The picture score [18 (12, 21)] was correlated with MRTA [14 (9, 17)], MRTC [9.5 (6.5, 12)] and SDT [44.5 (36, 53)] scores with a correlation of 0.427 (p = 0.0025), 0.539 (p < 0.0001) and 0.429 (p = 0.0024), respectively.ConclusionsVision‐based spatial abilities tests were correlated with pictures of objects recognized from haptic perception. Individual differences in spatial abilities as related to haptic perception have implications for education in the anatomy laboratory.This study was supported by an internal grant from the Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.

ObjectiveThe mental image of a three‐dimensional anatomical structure is a prerequisite to the performance in technical skills. The objective was to assess the relationship of spatial abilities to three‐dimensional synthesis of two‐dimensional views of structures using drawings.MethodsFourth‐year medical students (n = 49) were recruited in a prospective study. Spatial abilities were measured with a redrawn Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Test in two (MRTA) and three (MRTC) dimensions and the Surface Development Test (SDT). As part of a drawing course, participants had to build structures of increasing complexity from simple parts using two‐dimensional views of structures and then to draw isometric views of structures. The accuracy of the drawings was assessed as right or wrong. The maximum score was 24 for MRTA and MRTC, 60 for SDT and 25 for the drawings. The results were expressed as means ± standard deviation and the Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to compare the drawing score to MRTA, MRTC and SDT scores.ResultsThe drawing score (14.6 ± 3.7) was related to MRTA (13.5 ± 5.2), MRTC (9.7 ± 4.5) and SDT (43.4 ± 10.0) scores; with a correlation of 0.3728 (p = 0.0083), 0.4248 (p = 0.0023) and 0.5420 (p < 0.0001), respectively.ConclusionSpatial abilities were related to three‐dimensional synthesis of two‐dimensional views of structures using drawings.This study was supported by an internal grant from the Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.

ObjectiveSpatial abilities have been related to cross‐sections of anatomical structures. The objective was to assess the relationship of spatial abilities to positioning and assessing area of structures in cross‐sectional drawings.MethodsFourth‐year medical students (n = 49) were recruited in a prospective study. Spatial abilities were measured with a redrawn Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Test in two (MRTA) and three (MRTC) dimensions and the Surface Development Test (SDT). Participants had to draw by observation the four lateral sides of objects made of several structures. After the objects were removed from view, cross‐sections of the objects were drawn. Position and area of structures within drawn objects were compared to standard. Results were expressed as means ± standard deviation and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship of positional and area errors of drawn structures to MRTA, MRTC and SDT scores.ResultsPositional error (9805 ± 6699 pixels) was inversely related to MRTA (13.5 ± 5.2), MRTC (9.7 ± 4.5) and SDT (43.4 ± 10.0) scores; with a correlation of − 0.3718 (p = 0.0085), − 0.4682 (p = 0.0007) and − 0.3461 (p = 0.0149), respectively. Similarly, area error (440416 ± 131870 pixels) was not related to MRTA, MRTC and SDT scores.ConclusionSpatial abilities were related to the position, but not to the area, of structures in cross‐sectional drawings of objects.This study was supported by an internal grant from the Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.

ObjectiveAs a basis for an application in anatomy education, vision‐based spatial abilities tests have been correlated with pictures of objects recognized from haptic perception. Decreasing haptic perception while increasing working memory has been found to decrease performance on pictures of objects recognized from haptic perception. The objective of the current study was to correlate spatial abilities to the effect of working memory on pictures of objects recognized from haptic perception.MethodsA cohort of 48 medical graduates was enrolled in a prospective study. Ethics committee approval and written informed concent were obtained. Spatial abilities were measured with a redrawn Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Tests in two (MRTA) and three (MRTC) dimensions and a Surface Development Test (SDT). In a one‐month rotation preparing for residency, the experiment was done within a one‐week drawing course before a one‐week applied anatomy course. Twenty‐five objects constructed from various shaped parts glued together were identified on a picture by participants after haptic perception. In the first exercice, participants could touch the object for up to two minutes while identifying the corresponding picture. In the second exercice, 30 seconds were allowed for haptic perception of the object, 15 seconds to memorize, and up to 75 seconds to identify the corresponding picture without any further haptic access to the object. The maximum score was 24 for each of MRTA and MRTC, 60 for SDT, and 25 for the picture score. Descriptive statistics included median and lower (Q1) and upper (Q3) quartiles. Spearman's correlation coefficient (and associated p‐value) was used to correlate the picture score to MRTA, MRTC and SDT scores.ResultsCorrelations of change in picture score between the first and second exercice [6.5 (3, 10)] with MRTA [14 (9, 17)], MRTC [9.5 (6.5, 12)] and SDT [44.5 (36, 53)] scores were −0.046 (p = 0.7577), 0.126 (p = 0.3945) and 0.149 (p = 0.3133), respectively.ConclusionHaptics is involved in the handling of anatomical structures. Spatial abilities tests were not correlated to the effect of working memory on pictures of objects recognized from haptic perception. Spatial abilities tests have been correlated to the effect of working memory on drawings of objects from haptic perception. These findings may be explained by the 2‐D nature of picture recognition and 3‐D nature of making a perspective drawing of an object.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by an internal grant from the Department of Surgery, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.