Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39716080›Full record

Trial reportBMC anesthesiology2024

Evaluating virtual reality anatomy training for novice anesthesiologists in performing ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks: a pilot study.

Xiaoyu Li, Siqi Ye, Qing Shen, Enci Liu, Xiujun An, Jinling Qin, Yang Liu, Xiuzhong Xing, Junping Chen, Bo Lu

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC anesthesiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Xiaoyu LiDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Siqi YeDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, P.R. China.
Qing ShenDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Enci LiuDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Xiujun AnDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Jinling QinDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Yang LiuDepartment of Anesthesiology, Zhenhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningbo, 315200, P.R. China.
Xiuzhong XingDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Junping ChenDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China.
Bo LuDepartment of Anesthesiology, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, No.41, Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, P.R. China. nblbmz@hotmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDeveloping proficiency in ultrasound-guided nerve block (UGNB) demands an intricate understanding of cross-sectional anatomy as well as spatial reasoning, which is a big challenge for beginners. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of virtual reality (VR)-facilitated anatomy education in the first performance of ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus blockade among novice anesthesiologists. We carried out pilot testing of this hypothesis using a prospective, single blind, randomized controlled trial.

methodsTwenty-one anesthesia trainees with no prior ultrasonography or nerve block training were included in this study. All participants underwent a training program encompassing theory and hands-on practice. Trainees were randomized into one of two groups: one received VR-assisted anatomy course while the other did not. Subsequently, both groups completed identical practical modules on ultrasound scanning and needle insertion. The primary end point was defined as the evaluation of trainees' performance during their initial ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block, assessed using both the Global Rating Scale (GRS) and a task-specific Checklist. The secondary end point included the improvement in scores for written multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

resultsIn evaluating practical ultrasound-guided nerve block skills, the VR group significantly outperformed the control group on the task-specific Checklist (29.23 ± 3.91 vs. 24.85 ± 5.13; P < 0.05), while both groups showed comparable performance on the GRS. Additionally, post-theoretical course MCQ scores increased substantially, with post-test results significantly surpassing pre-test scores in both groups (P < 0.001). However, intergroup analysis indicated no significant difference in score improvements between the VR and control groups (21.82 ± 12.30 vs. 18.33 ± 9.68, P > 0.05).

conclusionsOverall, the findings of this pilot study suggest that immersive virtual reality training in anatomy may contribute to improving the proficiency of ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks among novice anesthesiologists. Incorporating VR into future anesthesia technique training programs should be considered.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ChiCTR2300067437. Date of Registration Jan 9, 2023.

Indexed as

Brachial Plexus BlockUltrasonography, InterventionalVirtual RealityAdultAnesthesiologistsAnesthesiologyBrachial PlexusClinical CompetenceFemaleHumansMalePilot ProjectsProspective StudiesSingle-Blind MethodAnatomical competencyAnesthesiologyImmersive virtual realityUltrasound-guided nerve block

Identifiers

PMID39716080
PMCPMC11667880

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

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.