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Not yet recruitingNCT06552195Updated Aug 13, 2024

Augmented Reality in Learning Anatomy: The TEACHANATOMY Randomized Cross-over Trial

An interventional study of learning with augmented reality and learning with traditional methods in Augmented Reality and Anatomy Education, sponsored by Balgrist University Hospital. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-08-13.

Sponsored by Balgrist University Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Dec 2024, 1 year 9 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
300
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 25 Years
Sex
All
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Study summary

Cadaver use in anatomy education is undergoing several limitations in many universities, due to high costs, time constraints and supply difficulties. As alternatives to cadaver dissections, new teaching methods based on visual technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), are being implemented worldwide.

Augmented reality (AR), based on virtual interactive 3-dimensional elements (holograms) overlaid in the real-world, represents a promising alternative to explore the human body. In this study, we will test the efficacy of AR as an alternative teaching method in anatomy education by comparing traditional learning methods based on 2-dimensional (2D) images, videos, and online learning programs with the novel AR learning module The primary endpoint will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical knowledge tests, assessed at two timepoints: immediately after the study session and after 3 months.

Secondary endpoints will include adverse health symptoms and user experience, assessed immediately after the study session.

Read the detailed description

Cadaver use in anatomy education is undergoing several limitations in many universities, due to high costs, time constraints and supply difficulties. As alternatives to cadaver dissections, new teaching methods based on visual technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), are being implemented worldwide.

Augmented reality (AR), based on virtual interactive 3-dimensional elements (holograms) overlaid in the real-world, represents a promising alternative to explore the human body. In this study, we will test the efficacy of AR as an alternative teaching method in anatomy education. Our hypothesis is that learning with AR is more efficient than traditional learning methods.

Preparation: We will prepare 2 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens to allow visualization of anatomical structure of the shoulder and hips. The cadavers will be obtained from a human body donated for university teaching activities. Using a digital single-lens reflex camera, we will acquire several images. These images will be then converted into a 3D model by the ROCS team at Balgrist University Hospital and optimized for use with the Magic Leap AR headset.

Procedure: Participants (approx. 300) will be randomly assigned to the AR or the traditional learning (TL) group. Each participant will learn one anatomy module with traditional learning methods, which will include books, access to websites, 3D videos, and online learning programs, and one module with the AR-based learning program. The two modules will be administered approximately 3 weeks apart.

Group A: Shoulder anatomy with traditional learning methods and hips anatomy with AR based 3D program.

Group B: Shoulder anatomy with AR based 3D program and hips anatomy with traditional learning methods.

The primary endpoint will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical anatomy tests, assessed at two timepoints: immediately after the study session and after 3 months.

Secondary endpoints include adverse health symptoms, assessed with a Likert scale survey, and user experience, evaluated using an adapted NASA Task Load Index scale plus additional questions.

02

Conditions studied

  • Augmented Reality
  • Anatomy Education

Keywords

  • Anatomy teaching
  • Augmented reality
  • Magic leap
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Balgrist University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 80 studies on the registry; 14 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 25 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Medical students attending the 1st or 2nd year of undergraduate medical education
  • Must not have prior anatomical education

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Epilepsy
  • Binocular vision disorder such as strabismus
  • Current head and/or neck injuries
  • Inflammation of the scalp and/or eye
  • Amputations or partial amputations of the hands
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
300 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Shoulder anatomy with augmented reality (AR) , hips anatomy with traditional learning (TL)

    Participants first learn the shoulder anatomy with AR. After a washout period of three weeks, they will learn the hips anatomy with traditional Learning (TL) methods

    Other: learning with augmented reality · Other: learning with traditional methods

  • Active comparator
    Traditional learning (TL) group.

    Participants first learn the shoulder anatomy with Traditional learning methods. After a washout period of three weeks, they will learn the hips anatomy with augmented reality (AR)

    Other: learning with augmented reality · Other: learning with traditional methods

Interventions

  • Otherlearning with augmented reality

    Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a 20 minutes tutorial to introduce the HoloLens 2 and the TEACHANATOMY learning platform. * Study session: The study session consists of three learning blocks of approximately 20 minutes each, plus a repetition block to assess the acquired knowledge. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks. * Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months. * Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience.

  • Otherlearning with traditional methods

    * Study presentation: participants will be given a 10-minute general introduction on the study followed by a presentation to introduce the study session. * Study session: The study session consists of the learning resources most used by students: specific sections from four different neuroanatomy books, access to two websites, two 3D videos, and two online learning programs. During the study session participants will be given no time constraints and free breaks. * Assessment test: Participants will be assessed with a 30 minutes knowledge assessment test at the end of the study and after three months. * Final questionnaire: At the end of the study session participants will be given a questionnaire to assess adverse health symptoms and user experience

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. knowledge test

    The primary outcome will consist of the score in the final theoretical and practical tests. The theoretical test consists of single and multiple-choice questions in which participants will be required to recognize and name the different anatomical structures of the hips or shoulder and their function. In the practical part, participants will be required to mark specific anatomical structures in a 3D-printed anatomical skull model. The duration of the test will be of approximately 30 minutes.

    Time frame: immediately after the study session, day 1, and after three months

Secondary outcomes

  1. adverse health symptoms

    Secondary outcomes will include adverse health symptoms, evaluated with a questionnaire to assess presence and severity of general symptoms (General discomfort, Fatigue, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Concentration problems, Disorientation, Neck stiffness/neck pain, No symptoms) and eye-related symptoms (Blurred vision, Difficulty focusing, Double-vision, Dry eyes No symptoms). Presence and severity of symptoms will be rated on a Likert scale from 1 (almost imperceptible) to 10 (extreme).

    Time frame: Immediately after the knowledge test, Day 1

  2. User experience

    User experience will be assessed using an adapted NASA Task Load Index (5 questions, range, 1-10, with lower scores indicating lower cognitive workload) plus additional 10-point Likert scale and open-ended questions in which participants will be asked to rank their comfort with the material and hardware and the teaching effectiveness of the software or of the traditional learning methods to learn anatomy

    Time frame: Immediately after the Adverse health symptoms, Day 1

07

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

08

References and documents

Publications

  • Stromberga Z, Phelps C, Smith J, Moro C. Teaching with Disruptive Technology: The Use of Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality (HoloLens) for Disease Education. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021;1317:147-162. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-61125-5_8. PubMed 33945136 ↗
  • Bolek KA, De Jong G, Henssen D. The effectiveness of the use of augmented reality in anatomy education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 27;11(1):15292. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-94721-4. PubMed 34315955 ↗
  • Chytas D, Johnson EO, Piagkou M, Mazarakis A, Babis GC, Chronopoulos E, Nikolaou VS, Lazaridis N, Natsis K. The role of augmented reality in Anatomical education: An overview. Ann Anat. 2020 May;229:151463. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2020.151463. Epub 2020 Jan 21. PubMed 31978568 ↗
  • Curran VR, Xu X, Aydin MY, Meruvia-Pastor O. Use of Extended Reality in Medical Education: An Integrative Review. Med Sci Educ. 2022 Dec 19;33(1):275-286. doi: 10.1007/s40670-022-01698-4. eCollection 2023 Feb. PubMed 36569366 ↗
  • Gsaxner C, Li J, Pepe A, Jin Y, Kleesiek J, Schmalstieg D, Egger J. The HoloLens in medicine: A systematic review and taxonomy. Med Image Anal. 2023 Apr;85:102757. doi: 10.1016/j.media.2023.102757. Epub 2023 Jan 21. PubMed 36706637 ↗
  • McBain KA, Habib R, Laggis G, Quaiattini A, M Ventura N, Noel GPJC. Scoping review: The use of augmented reality in clinical anatomical education and its assessment tools. Anat Sci Educ. 2022 Jul;15(4):765-796. doi: 10.1002/ase.2155. Epub 2022 Jan 19. PubMed 34800073 ↗
  • Moro C, Birt J, Stromberga Z, Phelps C, Clark J, Glasziou P, Scott AM. Virtual and Augmented Reality Enhancements to Medical and Science Student Physiology and Anatomy Test Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Anat Sci Educ. 2021 May;14(3):368-376. doi: 10.1002/ase.2049. Epub 2021 Feb 26. PubMed 33378557 ↗
  • Navab N, Martin-Gomez A, Seibold M, Sommersperger M, Song T, Winkler A, Yu K, Eck U. Medical Augmented Reality: Definition, Principle Components, Domain Modeling, and Design-Development-Validation Process. J Imaging. 2022 Dec 23;9(1):4. doi: 10.3390/jimaging9010004. PubMed 36662102 ↗
  • Stojanovska M, Tingle G, Tan L, Ulrey L, Simonson-Shick S, Mlakar J, Eastman H, Gotschall R, Boscia A, Enterline R, Henninger E, Herrmann KA, Simpson SW, Griswold MA, Wish-Baratz S. Mixed Reality Anatomy Using Microsoft HoloLens and Cadaveric Dissection: A Comparative Effectiveness Study. Med Sci Educ. 2019 Nov 15;30(1):173-178. doi: 10.1007/s40670-019-00834-x. eCollection 2020 Mar. PubMed 34457656 ↗
  • Uruthiralingam U, Rea PM. Augmented and Virtual Reality in Anatomical Education - A Systematic Review. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1235:89-101. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-37639-0_5. PubMed 32488637 ↗
  • Moro C, Stromberga Z, Raikos A, Stirling A. The effectiveness of virtual and augmented reality in health sciences and medical anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2017 Nov;10(6):549-559. doi: 10.1002/ase.1696. Epub 2017 Apr 17. PubMed 28419750 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 13, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06552195
Lead sponsor
Balgrist University Hospital
Collaborators
ETH Zurich
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 13, 2024
Start date
Oct 1, 2024 (estimated)
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2024 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 31, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 13, 2024

Study contacts

Lukas Zingg, MD
Contact
Lukas.zingg@balgrist.ch
0796644805 ext. +41
Philipp Fürnstahl, Prof.
Contact
philipp.fuernstahl@balgrist.ch
044 510 73 60 ext. +41
Lukas Zingg, MD
principal investigator · Balgrust University Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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