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An Alternative Method for Anatomy Training: Immersive Virtual Reality
Author(s) -
Kurul Ramazan,
Ögün Muhammed Nur,
Neriman Narin Ayşe,
Avci Şebnem,
Yazgan Beyza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
anatomical sciences education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.126
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1935-9780
pISSN - 1935-9772
DOI - 10.1002/ase.1959
Subject(s) - virtual reality , test (biology) , significant difference , psychology , medicine , physical therapy , computer science , human–computer interaction , paleontology , biology
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of immersive three‐dimensional (3D) interactive virtual reality (VR) on anatomy training in undergraduate physical therapy students. A total of 72 students were included in the study. The students were randomized into control (n = 36) and VR (n = 36) group according to the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, sex, and Purdue Spatial Visualization Test Rotations (PSVT‐R). Each student completed a pre‐intervention and post‐intervention test, consisting of 15 multiple‐choice questions. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, Kolb Learning Style Inventory distribution, and the PSVT‐R ( P > 0.05). The post‐test scores were significantly higher compared to pre‐test scores in both the VR group ( P < 0.001) and the control group ( P < 0.001). The difference between the pre‐test and post‐test results was found to be significantly higher in favor of the VR group ( P < 0.001). In this study, anatomy training with a 3D immersive VR system was found to be beneficial. These results suggest that VR systems can be used as an alternative method to the conventional anatomy training approach for health students.