Preparing for Reality: A Randomized Trial on Immersive Virtual Reality for Bronchoscopy Training

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Bronchoscopy is an essential procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases. However, the literature suggests that distractions affect the quality of bronchoscopy and affect inexperienced doctors more than experienced. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The objective of the study was as follows: does simulation-based bronchoscopy training with immersive virtual reality (iVR) improve the doctors’ ability to handle distractions and thereby increase the quality, measured in procedure time, structured progression score, diagnostic completeness (%), and hand motor movements of a diagnostic bronchoscopy in a simulated scenario. Exploratory outcomes were heart rate variability and a cognitive load questionnaire (Surg-TLX). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Participants were randomized. The intervention group practiced in an iVR environment with a head-mounted display (HMD) while using the bronchoscopy simulator, while the control group trained without the HMD. Both groups were tested in the iVR environment using a scenario with distractions. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 34 participants completed the trial. The intervention group scored significantly higher in diagnostic completeness (100 i.q.r. 100–100 vs. 94 i.q.r. 89–100, <i>p</i> value = 0.03) and structured progress (16 i.q.r. 15–18 vs. 12 i.q.r. 11–15, <i>p</i> value 0.03) but not in procedure time (367 s standard deviation [SD] 149 vs. 445 s SD 219, <i>p</i> value = 0.06) or hand motor movements (−1.02 i.q.r. −1.03–[−1.02] versus −0.98 i.q.r. −1.02–[–0.98], <i>p</i> value = 0.27). The control group had a tendency toward a lower heart rate variability (5.76 i.q.r. 3.77–9.06 vs. 4.12 i.q.r. 2.68–6.27, <i>p</i> = 0.25). There was no significant difference in total Surg-TLX points between the two groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> iVR simulation training increases the quality of diagnostic bronchoscopy in a simulated scenario with distractions compared with conventional simulation-based training.

Immersive virtual reality simulation training for cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial

“…In addition to knowledge improvement, the VR group also showed higher confidence levels in managing patients with PROM, performing CS as an operator, and understanding the indications and complications of CS. This finding is consistent with previous studies that have demonstrated the positive impact of VR simulation on learners’ confidence and self-efficacy in various medical specialties 14 – 16 . The ability to practice and repeat specific tasks in a realistic virtual environment can boost learners’ confidence in their skills and decision-making abilities, especially in these critical areas of obstetric care.…”

Innovations to Improve Lung Isolation Training for Thoracic Anesthesia: A Narrative Review

“…For teaching and training, IVR was first used for emergency and resuscitation training scenarios [39] and is now also used for airway assessment. A recent study in bronchoscopy shows that IVR simulation training improves the quality of diagnostic bronchoscopy in a simulated scenario with distractions compared to conventional simulation-based training [40].…”