An interventional study of AI-Assisted Algorithm-Supported Adaptive Simulation and Conventional Physiology Instruction in Physiology Education, Simulation-Based Learning and v, sponsored by Saveetha University. Completed at 1 site in India. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-27.
Sponsored by Saveetha University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether an AI-assisted, rule-based adaptive screen-based simulation module could improve physiology learning outcomes among undergraduate health science students compared with conventional instruction. A total of 672 students from Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the adaptive simulation group or the conventional teaching group. The intervention used web-based clinical physiology cases with algorithm-supported case sequencing, automated formative feedback, and structured faculty-led debriefing, while the control group received standard lectures, textbook reading, tutorial sessions, and laboratory practicals. The primary outcomes were physiological knowledge and reasoning ability, and the secondary outcomes were conceptual understanding, engagement, cognitive load, and academic self-efficacy. Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention, and again at four-week follow-up.
This study was designed as a prospective, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with repeated-measures assessment at three time points: baseline, immediately post-intervention, and four weeks after the intervention. It was conducted at Saveetha Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, India, between August 2025 and January 2026, and received institutional ethical approval before enrollment. Participants were undergraduate health science students aged 18 to 25 years who were enrolled in a Human Physiology course and had access to an internet-enabled personal device. Students with prior formal exposure to simulation-based physiology instruction or adaptive digital learning platforms were excluded. After baseline assessment, participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention or control group, with allocation concealment and blinded outcome assessment.
The intervention group received physiology instruction through a screen-based adaptive simulation environment over 12 weeks. The module was intentionally designed as a bundled educational strategy integrating adaptive case sequencing, automated formative feedback, and faculty-led debriefing. The adaptive component used predefined rule-based logic to personalize learning by adjusting case difficulty and feedback pathways according to learner performance; it did not use autonomous generative artificial intelligence or clinical decision-making. Participants completed structured simulation sessions for two hours per week, including pre-briefing, individual case-based simulation, and facilitated debriefing. The control group received conventional curriculum-based physiology instruction over the same 12-week period, including didactic lectures, prescribed textbook readings, tutorial sessions, and laboratory practicals.
The study prioritized objective learning outcomes. Physiological knowledge was measured using a 40-item multiple-choice test, physiological reasoning ability using a scenario-based rubric-scored assessment, and conceptual understanding using a physiology concept inventory. Secondary outcomes included student engagement measured with the USEI, cognitive load measured with NASA-TLX, and academic self-efficacy measured with an adapted CASES scale. Outcomes were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up using the same instruments across all time points.
Saveetha University is the lead sponsor of 13 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
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You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants received AI-assisted algorithm-supported adaptive screen-based physiology simulation over a 12-week period. The intervention included adaptive case sequencing, automated formative feedback, interactive clinical reasoning activities, animated physiological visualization, and structured faculty-led debriefing sessions aligned with physiology curriculum objectives.
Behavioral: AI-Assisted Algorithm-Supported Adaptive Simulation
Participants received standard curriculum-based physiology instruction over a 12-week period, including didactic lectures, prescribed textbook readings, faculty-guided tutorial sessions, and scheduled laboratory practicals covering core physiological systems.
Behavioral: Conventional Physiology Instruction
The intervention consisted of an AI-assisted algorithm-supported adaptive screen-based physiology simulation delivered over 12 weeks. Participants engaged in structured web-based simulation sessions involving interactive clinical case scenarios, animated physiological visualizations, adaptive case sequencing, automated formative feedback, and faculty-led debriefing. The adaptive instructional system operated through predefined rule-based educational algorithms that adjusted case difficulty, feedback pathways, and learning progression according to participant performance within faculty-defined parameters. Sessions included pre-briefing, individual simulation-based clinical reasoning activities, adaptive feedback, and reflective debriefing. The intervention was implemented in alignment with the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice and focused on improving physiological knowledge, conceptual understanding, and clinical reasoning skills.
Also known as: Adaptive Screen-Based Simulation, AI-Assisted Adaptive Simulation, Rule-Based Adaptive Simulation, Adaptive Physiology Simulation Platform
Participants received standard curriculum-based physiology instruction over a 12-week period according to institutional teaching guidelines. Conventional instruction included didactic lectures, prescribed textbook readings, faculty-guided tutorial sessions, and scheduled laboratory practicals covering cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and integumentary physiology. Tutorial sessions focused on instructor-led clarification of physiological concepts, small-group discussion, and question-and-answer interactions. Laboratory practicals included supervised physiological measurements, observation of physiological demonstrations, interpretation of experimental findings, and guided analysis of physiological responses. The control condition did not include adaptive simulation, automated formative feedback, algorithm-supported instructional adaptation, or structured simulation-based clinical reasoning activities.
Also known as: Standard Curriculum-Based Teaching, Conventional Teaching, Didactic Physiology Education, Traditional Physiology Instruction
Physiological Reasoning Ability
Physiological reasoning ability was assessed using a scenario-based assessment requiring hypothesis generation, interpretation of physiological data, and application of physiological mechanisms to management decisions. Responses were scored using a standardized four-point analytic rubric assessing reasoning and clinical interpretation skills. Higher scores indicate better physiological reasoning ability.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 13), and follow-up (Week 17)
Physiological Knowledge
Physiological knowledge was assessed using a faculty-developed 40-item multiple-choice assessment designed to evaluate conceptual understanding and applied physiological reasoning across eight core physiological systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and integumentary physiology. Higher scores indicate better physiology knowledge performance.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 13), and follow-up (Week 17)
Conceptual Understanding
Conceptual understanding was assessed using a faculty-developed Physiology Concept Inventory designed to evaluate deep conceptual understanding, integration of physiological mechanisms across systems, and identification of common physiological misconceptions. Higher scores indicate better conceptual understanding of physiology concepts.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 13), and follow-up (Week 17)
Student Engagement
Student engagement was assessed using the University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI), which evaluates behavioral, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of learner engagement. Higher scores indicate greater learner engagement during physiology learning activities.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 13), and follow-up (Week 17)
Cognitive Load
Cognitive load was assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), a multidimensional measure evaluating perceived cognitive workload and task demand during learning activities. Higher scores indicate greater perceived cognitive workload.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 13), and follow-up (Week 17)
Academic Self-Efficacy
Academic self-efficacy was measured using an adapted version of the College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES) to evaluate learner confidence in physiology-related academic tasks and simulation-based learning activities. Higher scores indicate greater academic self-efficacy.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 13), and follow-up (Week 17)
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared because the dataset contains institution-linked educational performance information and participant-level academic assessment data. De-identified data may be considered for academic collaboration upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to institutional ethical approval and data-sharing regulations.
Ran from Aug 2025 to primary completion in Jan 2026, 5 months.
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