Published in:
01-08-2010 | Original Article
Performance on a Virtual Reality Angled Laparoscope Task Correlates with Spatial Ability of Trainees
Authors:
Rachel Rosenthal, Christian Hamel, Daniel Oertli, Nicolas Demartines, Walter A. Gantert
Published in:
Indian Journal of Surgery
|
Issue 4/2010
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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether trainees’ performance on a virtual reality angled laparoscope navigation task correlates with scores obtained on a validated conventional test of spatial ability. 56 participants of a surgery workshop performed an angled laparoscope navigation task on the Xitact LS 500 virtual reality Simulator. Performance parameters were correlated with the score of a validated paper-and-pencil test of spatial ability. Performance at the conventional spatial ability test significantly correlated with performance at the virtual reality task for overall task score (p < 0.001), task completion time (p < 0.001) and economy of movement (p = 0.035), not for endoscope travel speed (p = 0.947). In conclusion, trainees’ performance in a standardized virtual reality camera navigation task correlates with their innate spatial ability. This VR session holds potential to serve as an assessment tool for trainees.