For lower-stakes basic skills, AR shows noninferiority rather than superiority over traditional instruction¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r2–r3 · q3
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Nagayo et al found no significant difference between AR and video-based self-training in suturing skill improvement (global rating P=.54; task specific P=.91). → El Ashry M 2026 q3 i? Lopes et al found no significant difference in mOSATS scores, although the telestration group performed tasks significantly faster when working independently (1393 s vs 1679 s, P=.04). → El Ashry M 2026 (2)

Evidence¶

El Ashry M 2026¶

El Ashry M, El Ashry A, Khalique H, Abdalle Y, Yeung T. (2026). Augmented Reality in Surgical Training: Systematic Review of Its Impact on Technical Performance in Surgical Trainees. JMIR Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.2196/71572

q3 · i? · review · r3

Parallel RCT (n=38 suturing-novice medical students) comparing HoloLens 2 self-training with 2D instructional video for subcuticular suturing; the review reports the null contrasts (P=.54, P=.91); equivalence was not tested.

"Nagayo et al [9] found no significant difference between AR and video-based self-training in suturing skill improvement (global rating: P=.54; task specific: P=.91)"

El Ashry M 2026 (2)¶

El Ashry M, El Ashry A, Khalique H, Abdalle Y, Yeung T. (2026). Augmented Reality in Surgical Training: Systematic Review of Its Impact on Technical Performance in Surgical Trainees. JMIR Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.2196/71572

q3 · i? · review · r2

Evaluator-blinded parallel RCT (n=20 medical students) comparing Vuzix M300XL smart glasses with remote telestration against traditional on-site teaching for five suture types; the review reports null mOSATS difference with a time advantage (P=.04).

"Lopes et al [5] similarly found no significant difference in mOSATS scores, although the telestration group performed tasks significantly faster when working independently (1393 s vs 1679 s; P=.04)."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• AR guidance improves objective technical accuracy in surgical trainees, most strongly in tasks with high visuospatial demands — related
• No significant difference between virtual simulation and authentic video on the basic observation dimension of assignments — related
• Immersive VR simulation is noninferior to live simulation for developing teamwork and communication skills — a broader claim this one bears on
• Several included studies found haptic VR training equivalent rather than superior to conventional dental training — a broader claim this one bears on
• AR training is consistently associated with reduced procedural errors across all studies measuring that outcome — reports the opposite
• Distance simulation of technical skills achieves skill outcomes comparable to traditional on-site training in most comparative studies — a broader claim this one bears on
• Three comparative studies reported superior outcomes for distance simulation over traditional training, involving augmented reality telementoring, remote robotic teaching, and a virtual classroom — reports the opposite
• Sensor-based force measurement discriminates skill levels, with experts suturing faster and with lower applied force than novices — related
• Remote teaching achieves competency outcomes equivalent to traditional learning for basic surgical skills in most studies — related
• In thyroid surgery training, simulation and virtual-reality training improved technical performance and task completion time, and simulators were rated as realistic — related