Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41350814›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

Virtual reality-an innovative tool in medical education.

Marianne Priyanka Kapoor, Sai Sriram Swamiyappan, Nisha Dubey, Vivek Visveswaran

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing 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

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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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

4 authors.

Marianne Priyanka KapoorDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, India.
Sai Sriram SwamiyappanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, India. saisriram.s@sriramachandra.edu.in.
Nisha DubeyDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, India.
Vivek VisveswaranDepartment of Neurosurgery, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVirtual reality (VR) is increasingly recognized as a promising tool in medical education, offering immersive, interactive, and risk-free learning experiences. Its ability to provide three-dimensional visualization of complex anatomical structures may overcome limitations of traditional didactic lectures and cadaver-based learning.

objectiveThis study evaluated the effectiveness of VR-based neuroanatomy training compared to conventional teaching methods among undergraduate medical students.

methodsA total of 117 final-year MBBS students at SRIHER were enrolled between December 2024 and April 2025. Students were stratified into three groups with comparable baseline scores. Group 1 received lectures and notes, Group 2 received lectures plus VR sessions on skull base and Circle of Willis models, and Group 3 initially received lectures and notes followed by delayed VR exposure. Knowledge acquisition was assessed using pre-tests, immediate post-tests, and a three-month delayed post-test. Statistical analysis employed a mixed-effects linear model to account for repeated measures and attrition.

resultsGroup 2 demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in the first post-test (14.1 vs. 10.3 in traditional groups; p = 0.03). At the three-month follow-up, Group 2 maintained superior performance, while Group 3 (delayed VR) showed intermediate improvement compared to controls. Attrition was markedly lower among students exposed to VR (98.4% vs. 58.9%), suggesting higher engagement and sustained interest. Qualitative feedback revealed increased motivation and a notable rise in interest in neurosurgery careers (from 3 to 27 students).

conclusionVR-based training significantly enhances neuroanatomy learning outcomes compared to conventional teaching, particularly when introduced early. Its immersive and interactive features promote deeper engagement, retention, and motivation. While cost remains a barrier, VR holds substantial potential as a sustainable adjunct to medical curricula and a means to inspire interest in surgical specialities.

Indexed as

Education, Medical, UndergraduateNeuroanatomyVirtual RealityAdultCurriculumEducational MeasurementFemaleHumansMaleStudents, MedicalYoung AdultMedical EducationNeuroanatomyVirtual Reality

Identifiers

PMID41350814
PMCPMC12797543

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.