Three days of training with a low-fidelity arthroscopy triangulation simulator box improves task performance in a virtual reality high-fidelity virtual knee arthroscopy simulator

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of training with the low-fidelity ArthroBox ® regarding performance of different basic arthroscopy tasks using a validated high-fidelity virtual reality simulator of the knee. Methods Nineteen volunteers (14 females and 5 males) without any previous experience in arthroscopy were randomly assigned either to the ArthroBox ® training group (n =10) or the non-training group (n =9). The training group underwent a supervised ArthroBox ® training consisting of a daily 60-min session for three consecutive days. Both groups completed the basic and the final assessment using a validated virtual reality-based passive haptic knee arthroscopy simulator (ArthroS, VirtaMed™). The following three factors were measured in different exercises (explained in "Materials and methods"): amount of time to finish the task, length of camera and scope path within the joint. Furthermore, the volunteers' demographics (age, sex, dexterity, video game experience, sport activities and profession) was assessed but showed no differences between the groups. Results There were no significant differences between the training and non-training group regarding the above-mentioned demographic factors. However, the training group showed significant improvement from baseline to follow-up in most activities (e.g. task performance time in seconds, intra-articular camera and grasp distance in centimetres; see Table 1) in comparison to the non-training group. Conclusions The results from this study demonstrate that training for three consecutive days using a portable and versatile low-fidelity simulator significantly improves arthroscopy performance when using a validated high-fidelity virtual knee simulator. Arthroscopic triangulation training outside the operating theatre with a portable, low-cost simulator has proven to be a valuable educational tool to improve the arthroscopic skills of trainee surgeons. Level of evidence Diagnostic study, Level II.

Practicing Procedural Skills Is More Effective Than Basic Psychomotor Training in Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Study

“…Our findings are somewhat contrary to those of Bouaicha et al, 5 who, in a group of arthroscopy-naïve medical students, found that three 1-hour training sessions on a lowfidelity arthroscopy simulator box resulted in improved performance on a high-fidelity computer-assisted knee arthroscopy simulator as compared with no training. It would be interesting to compare the low-fidelity simulator box-trained group with a group spending the same amount of time training on more complex procedure-specific tasks.…”

Simulation-Based Arthroscopic Skills Using a Spaced Retraining Schedule Reduces Short-Term Task Completion Time and Camera Path Length

“…14 Previous studies have determined that residents' performance in both the operating room and simulation-based laboratories improved after training on validated arthroscopic simulators, which demonstrated both validation and transferability. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] However, little research has investigated the retention of arthroscopic skills. In addition, many studies that have focused on the retention of surgical skills, including laparoscopic skills, have demonstrated significant deterioration in skills when not practiced over a long period.…”

Development and Pilot Implementation of TACTICS VR: A Virtual Reality-Based Stroke Management Workflow Training Application and Training Framework

“…In a range of educational settings, VR-based training consistently increased student engagement and motivation (23,24). Further, VR applications are effective at training practical skills (25,26) and knowledge development (27)(28)(29). While VR has previously been applied in the context of both stroke management and medical education (30)(31)(32), applications for stroke have primarily targeted patients (e.g., for limb rehabilitation) rather than healthcare professionals [reviewed in (33,34)].…”