Please login to view this media
- Talk
- 20/09/2022
- UK
Impact of Haptic Feedback on Surgical Training Outcomes: A Randomised, Controlled, Double-Blinded Trial of Haptic Versus Non-Haptic Immersive Virtual Reality Training
Description
The presentation is given by Abrar Gani, a surgical trainee in London, discussing a randomized controlled trial conducted at St George's University that examines the effects of haptic feedback in a virtual reality (VR) surgical simulator. The study aims to assess the educational impact of haptic feedback, which is a critical aspect of performing orthopedic surgery, particularly in bone drilling.
Gani explains the background of surgical simulations, emphasizing their role in enhancing patient safety and skill acquisition for junior surgeons. He notes that current VR systems often lack haptic feedback, which provides crucial tactile information during surgery. The focus of the study is on cortical bone drilling—a fundamental task in orthopedic procedures—highlighting the reliance on haptic feedback for understanding spatial positioning during the operation.
The study recruited 31 junior doctors, all of whom had limited orthopedic experience, and utilized a patented VR system from FundamentalVR that combines the Oculus Quest with innovative haptic arms. Participants were randomly assigned to either a haptic feedback group or a control group without haptic feedback to evaluate their performance in a virtual drilling task followed by drilling in an ex-vivo model. The study also included pre-study questionnaires to establish a baseline on participants' experience.
Results indicated that participants in the haptic feedback group experienced a significantly reduced plunge gap distance while drilling, which is crucial for safety. Additionally, the haptic group showed better overall performance ratings according to consultants' assessments on technical aspects of the task. The findings suggest that incorporating haptic feedback in VR training can enhance the educational experience for surgical trainees, thus supporting its broader implementation in surgical training models. Gani concludes with references and qualitative feedback from participants, emphasizing the potential improvements in surgical education through the use of advanced simulation technology.