Immersive 360-Degree Video for Virtual Reality Training

(IMProVe Trial)

Overseen By Vikas Patel, MD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Disqualifiers: Familiarity with Sunnybrook, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

44 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

As medical students rotate through different hospital sites as part of their studies, the students are frequently exposed to new and unfamiliar environments. This can cause anxiety in some students, and can potentially result in students becoming lost, and arriving late to their activities. To prevent this, students are currently provided with instructions in the form of written directions, photographs, maps, and/or 2-dimensional videos. In this study, the investigators will test if immersive 360-degree virtual reality videos (videos shown using a headset/goggles that allow the wearer to experience the video as though they were actually there), are better at teaching medical students how to navigate the hospital and find new locations, compared to normal, 2-dimensional video instructions. Medical students will be asked to find their way to a new location within the hospital, after being given instructions using either 2-dimensional (standard) video or 360-degree virtual reality video. The investigators will measure how long it takes students to find the new location, and how often the students get lost or confused along the way. If successful, the investigators believe that this new method of teaching will help students to get around in new places more easily and lessen student anxiety. This will also increase knowledge related to 360-degree virtual reality video for teaching medical students.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

How is the treatment Immersive 360 (3D) video unique compared to other treatments?

Immersive 360 (3D) video is unique because it provides a fully immersive, 3-dimensional experience using virtual reality, which can enhance learning and engagement by allowing users to interact with a virtual environment as if they were physically present. This approach is different from traditional methods, such as 2D videos, by offering a more engaging and realistic experience that can improve skills and knowledge retention. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Research Team

Ahtsham U Niazi, FRCPC

Principal Investigator

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for pre-clerkship medical students from the University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine. It aims to help those who are new to hospital environments and may experience anxiety or get lost while navigating different sites.

Inclusion Criteria

Pre-clerkship (year 1 and 2) medical students from the University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Orientation and Instruction

Participants receive either 360-degree video IVR or 2D video instruction on navigating a hospital route

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Navigation Task

Participants complete a navigation task from the anesthesia lounge to the fracture clinic, with performance timed and errors recorded

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete questionnaires assessing confidence, anxiety, and satisfaction with the instruction method

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Immersive 360 (3D) video

Trial Overview The study compares immersive 360-degree virtual reality videos with standard 2D videos as tools for teaching spatial orientation in hospitals. The effectiveness will be measured by how quickly and accurately students can find their way to new locations.

Participant Groups

Group I: Group A Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR)

Group II: Group B Active Control 2 Interventions

Traditional 2-D Video

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

693

Recruited

1,569,000+

Findings from Research

A study involving 40 foundation year doctors found that those taught knot tying skills using 360-degree virtual reality (VR) video scored significantly higher than those taught with conventional 2D video, indicating that VR can enhance learning outcomes in surgical education.

The effectiveness of VR teaching persisted even when combined with traditional face-to-face instruction, suggesting that VR can be a valuable tool in surgical training without increasing the time needed to learn the skill.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

360° virtual reality video for the acquisition of knot tying skills: A randomised controlled trial. Yoganathan, S., Finch, DA., Parkin, E., et al.[2018]

A systematic review of 64 articles indicates that 360° videos in virtual reality can enhance learning by improving performance, motivation, and knowledge retention across various educational topics.

While the technological benefits of 360° videos are not widely reported, many studies highlight positive effects on engagement, presence, and emotional responses, suggesting a strong potential for immersive learning experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Potential of 360° Virtual Reality Videos and Real VR for Education-A Literature Review. Pirker, J., Dengel, A.[2021]

In a study with 110 participants, using textual and visual cues in immersive 360-degree videos significantly improved learning outcomes and increased focus on the areas with cues.

The research revealed that learners paid much more attention to cues within their initial field of view, and adding visual cues helped direct attention to textual information outside this area, promoting a more balanced attention distribution.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impacts of Cues on Learning and Attention in Immersive 360-Degree Video: An Eye-Tracking Study. Liu, R., Xu, X., Yang, H., et al.[2023]

The systematic review of 12 studies found that 360-degree videos, primarily used in mental health nursing education, effectively enhance students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes, making them a valuable educational tool.

Despite their benefits, the use of 360-degree videos can lead to motion sickness for some users, which is a notable challenge that needs to be addressed in nursing education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Come and see through my eyes: A systematic review of 360-degree video technology in nursing education. Baysan, A., Çonoğlu, G., Özkütük, N., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 32 medical students, those using 360° virtual reality (VR) for learning history taking and physical examination skills achieved higher Milestone levels compared to those using 2D video, indicating better learning outcomes.

While the 360° VR group reported a more engaging experience, it also caused mild dizziness, suggesting that while VR can enhance learning, it may also introduce some discomfort for users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using a 360° Virtual Reality or 2D Video to Learn History Taking and Physical Examination Skills for Undergraduate Medical Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Chao, YP., Chuang, HH., Hsin, LJ., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

360° virtual reality video for the acquisition of knot tying skills: A randomised controlled trial. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Potential of 360° Virtual Reality Videos and Real VR for Education-A Literature Review. [2021]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impacts of Cues on Learning and Attention in Immersive 360-Degree Video: An Eye-Tracking Study. [2023]

4. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Come and see through my eyes: A systematic review of 360-degree video technology in nursing education. [2023]

5. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using a 360° Virtual Reality or 2D Video to Learn History Taking and Physical Examination Skills for Undergraduate Medical Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]