Spaced VR simulator training yields better performance and faster skill acquisition than massed training for surgical psychomotor skills¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? In five of seven included studies, spaced VR simulator training groups showed significantly larger performance increases, steeper learning curves, or faster/more efficient completion than massed training groups. → Fahl Jan Torge 2023

Evidence¶

Fahl Jan Torge 2023¶

Fahl Jan Torge, Duvivier Robbert, Reinke Laurens, Pierie Jean-Pierre E. N., Schönrock-Adema Johanna. (2023). Towards best practice in developing motor skills: a systematic review on spacing in VR simulator-based psychomotor training for surgical novices. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04046-1

q2 · i? · review · r3

Systematic review synthesis of seven included studies (published 2002–2017, participants 20–41 each, medical students or novice residents). The review reports that "spaced training schedules showed significantly larger performance increase" and steeper learning curves versus massed groups across different skills and metrics.

"Groups with spaced training schedules showed significantly larger performance increase [34], a steeper learning curve [38], were more efficient or completed their training faster or with higher composite scores than massed training groups [19, 35, 37, 39]."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Daily training on consecutive days appears more effective than weekly or massed schedules for VR-based psychomotor skill acquisition — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• A simulation-based mastery-learning curriculum using the Guildford MATTU TEP model produced faster TEP repair, higher GOALS scores and fewer complications than standard apprenticeship training — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Massed learners' performance declined after about four repetitions while spaced learners' performance rose toward a proficiency plateau — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Spaced trainees completed endoscopic exercises 18.7% faster than massed trainees in Verdaasdonk et al. — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Short-interval (2.5-minute) spaced practice outperformed massed practice on a laparoscopic transfer task in Mackay et al. — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• The optimal spacing interval is bounded by reactive inhibition at short intervals and skill deterioration at long intervals — related
• VR simulation studies with control groups showed decreased surgical time when training with a VR simulator — related