TBL significantly improves communication skills while PBL does not¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r3 · q3 · i3 large
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i3 TBL significantly improves communication skills (SMD = 1.94, 95% CI: 0.26–3.62), whereas PBL shows a non-significant effect (SMD = 1.69, 95% CI: -0.45–3.83). → Zou Ya 2026

Evidence¶

Zou Ya 2026¶

Zou Ya, Xie Wenzhao, Huang Hui, Liu Dan, Zhou Qing, Yi Qifeng, Tong Xiaoliang, Mao Ping. (2026). The effects of case-based, problem-based, and team-based learning on nursing students’ problem-solving, self-directed learning, and communication skills: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-08602-3

q3 · i3 · quant-synthesis · r3

Subgroup meta-analysis by teaching method for communication skills (Table 6). TBL's effect is significant while PBL's is not; the authors attribute TBL's advantage to "its emphasis on real-time team interaction and feedback".

"Significant intervention effects were observed in TBL (SMD = 1.94, 95% CI: 0.26–3.62, I2 = 98%, P = 0.02) but not in PBL (SMD = 1.69, 95% CI: -0.45-3.83, I2 = 96%, P = 0.12)"

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Collaboration — outcome: instruction changes it
• Communication Skills — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• PBL and TBL significantly improve nursing students' self-directed learning — related
• In Chinese neurology education, TBL alone or combined with other methods is associated with improved self-study ability, communication skills, and teamwork ability versus LBL — related