We’re excited to share a newly published study that utilised our Resuscitation VR for Paediatrics training platform to investigate cognitive load in virtual reality medical education. The research, conducted by Elkin et al. and published in Simulation & Gaming, provides valuable insights into how VR simulations can be used to measure and potentially optimise cognitive load for learners.
Key Findings
- The study demonstrated it’s feasible to measure cognitive load in real-time during VR simulations using physiological inputs like EEG and ECG data.
- Expert clinicians generally showed lower cognitive load compared to novices, especially in more complex scenarios.
- The researchers found convergence between real-time physiological measures of cognitive load and traditional self-reported measures.
- Both novice and expert participants showed evidence of learning, with fewer errors as they progressed through multiple scenarios.
Implications for VR Medical Training
This research highlights the potential for VR platforms like Resuscitation VR to provide rich data on learner cognitive load and performance. The ability to measure cognitive load in real-time opens up exciting possibilities for adaptive learning, where training difficulty could be dynamically adjusted to keep learners in an optimal zone of challenge.
We’re proud that our Resuscitation VR platform was able to support this innovative research. As leaders in XR medical training, we’re committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve healthcare education and ultimately patient outcomes.
The full paper is available in the journal Simulation & Gaming. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with researchers and medical educators to advance the science of immersive medical training.
