SynthesisMedical education2021
Stereoscopic three-dimensional visualisation technology in anatomy learning: A meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Medical education, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
20 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 61 citations in OpenAlex.
- Visual-spatial abilities enhancement and spatial anatomy learning: A systematic review.Medical education · 2025Pooled it
- Are neuroanatomy multimedia resources effective in improving medical students' understanding of structural and functional neuroanatomy? A systematic review.Anatomical sciences education · 2025Pooled it
- Stereoscopic three-dimensional visualisation technology in anatomy learning: A meta-analysis.Medical education · 2021Pooled it
- Extended reality for perforator visualization in deep inferior epigastric perforator autologous breast reconstruction: A systematic review.JPRAS open · 2026Review
- Extended Reality in Congenital Heart Disease: 4D Flow Visualization: A Case Series in Fontan Patients.JACC. Case reports · 2026Article
- Article
- A preliminary comparison of bellringer performance across three visual modalities for the assessment of anatomy knowledge.Anatomical sciences education · 2026Article
- A 3-dimensional neuroanatomy pilot course for neurosurgical training amongst learners of differing seniorities.BMC medical education · 2025Article
- Evaluating virtual reality as a tool for improving surgical planning in spinal tumors.International journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery · 2025Article
- Measuring students' perceptions of virtual reality for learning anatomy using the general extended technology acceptance model for E-learning.Anatomical sciences education · 2025Article
- Does stereoscopic immersive virtual reality have a significant impact on anatomy education? A literature review.Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA · 2025Review
- "Visualization matters" - stereoscopic visualization of 3D graphic neuroanatomic models through AnaVu enhances basic recall and radiologic anatomy learning when compared with monoscopy.BMC medical education · 2024Article
- Using Mixed Reality Simulation to Improve Junior Medical Trainees' Preparedness to Manage High-Acuity Trauma.BMJ open quality · 2024Article
- Virtual Reality as a Complementary Learning Tool in Anatomy Education for Medical Students.Medical science educator · 2023Article
- Quantifying the Impact of Signal-to-background Ratios on Surgical Discrimination of Fluorescent Lesions.Molecular imaging and biology · 2023Article
- Determinants of Learning Anatomy in an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment - A Scoping Review.Medical science educator · 2023Article
- Application of three-dimensional visualization technology in laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction caused by crossing vessels: a retrospective comparative cohort study.Translational andrology and urology · 2022Article
- E-Learning Three-Dimensional Anatomy of the Brainstem: Impact of Different Microscopy Techniques and Spatial Ability.Anatomical sciences education · 2022Article
- A rare hepatic artery variant reporting and a new classification.Frontiers in surgery · 2022Article
- Development of a patient-oriented Hololens application to illustrate the function of medication after myocardial infarction.European heart journal. Digital health · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe features that contribute to the apparent effectiveness of three-dimensional visualisation technology [3DVT] in teaching anatomy are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of stereopsis in learning anatomy with 3DVT.
methodsThe review was conducted and reported according to PRISMA Standards. Literature search of English articles was performed using EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL EBSCOhost, ERIC EBSCOhost, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases until November 2019. Study selection, data extraction and study appraisal were performed independently by two authors. Articles were assessed for methodological quality using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias. For quantitative analysis, studies were grouped based on relative between-intervention differences in instructional methods and type of control conditions.
resultsA total of 3934 citations were obtained of which 67 underwent a full-text review. Ultimately, 13 randomised controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. When interactive, stereoscopic 3D models were compared to interactive, monoscopic 3D models within a single level of instructional design, for example isolating stereopsis as the only true manipulated element in the experimental design, an effect size [ES] of 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-0.80; P < .00001) was found. In comparison with 2D images within multiple levels of instructional design, an effect size of 0.45 (95% CI 0.10-0.81; P < .002) was found. Stereopsis had no effect on learning when utilised with non-interactive 3D images (ES = -0.87, 95% CI -2.09-0.35; P = .16).
conclusionStereopsis is an important distinguishing element of 3DVT that has a significant positive effect on acquisition of anatomical knowledge when utilised within an interactive 3D environment. A distinction between stereoscopic and monoscopic 3DVT is essential to make in anatomical education and research.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.