Impact of haptic feedback on surgical training outcomes: A Randomised Controlled Trial of haptic versus non-haptic immersive virtual reality training

• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104734
• Publication Date: 2022-09-23T08:41:48Z
• Authors: Abrar Gani; Oliver Pickering; Caroline Ellis; Omar Sabri; Philip Pucher
• Keywords: Virtual training

This study aimed to evaluate the educational impact of integrated haptic feedback in an immersive VR bone drilling simulation on performance a cohort junior surgeons.Block randomised, controlled, double-blinded study.St Georges University Hospital, London, United Kingdom.and methods: 31 trainee doctors (postgraduate years 1-3) with limited orthopaedic experience were recruited participate this randomised controlled through e-mail and poster advertising. They allocated or non-haptic group block randomisation prior entering environment. All participants provided verbal written consent study. blinded nature as well its intervention arms. completed virtual reality training module either no which they had drill 3 bicortical holes tibia model preparation for screw insertion followed by ex vivo equivalent task tibial sawbone once again both cortices tibia. Outcome measures plunge gap distance, time objective structures assessment technical skills (OSAT) qualitative questionnaire outcomes.Haptic showed significantly less distance compared (7.6 mm ± 4.3 vs 13.6 7.4 (p = 0.012)). The also longer times (17.5 s 4.0 13.8 4.2 0.027)), higher combined OSAT cores (14 (10,17) 8.5 (7.75, 12), p 0.0006) greater number safe drills <5 at least 2 out attempts (6 (40) 0 (0), 0.021.This demonstrates better surgical when using VR-based incorporating feedback, one without supporting pursuit implementation haptics models enhance their value.