Virtual reality learning: A randomized controlled trial assessing medical student knowledge of fetal development

Objective: To investigate whether a virtual reality learning environment (VRLE) enhanced student understanding and knowledge compared with a traditional tutorial.

Method: A randomized controlled trial involving medical students from University College Dublin, Ireland. Participants were assigned to an intervention (VRLE involving a 15-min learning experience on the stages of fetal development) or control (PowerPoint tutorial on the same topic) group. Multiple choice questionnaires (MCQs) assessed knowledge at three time points: preintervention, immediately postintervention, and 1 week postintervention. Primary outcomes were differences in MCQ knowledge scores postintervention between groups. Secondary outcomes included attitudes on the learning experience assessed using the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale (SCLS) and the Virtual Reality Design Scale (VRDS).

Results: No statistically significant between-group differences were found in the primary outcome assessing postintervention knowledge scores. Within-group differences in knowledge scores were significant among the three time points for both the intervention (P < 0.01 [95% confidence interval, 5.33-6.19]) and control (P = 0.02 [95% confidence interval, 5.74-6.49]) groups. Mean levels of satisfaction and self-confidence in learning were higher in the intervention group compared with the control group: 54.2 (standard deviation, 7.5) and 50.5 (standard deviation, 7.2), respectively (P = 0.21).

Conclusion: VRLEs are a learning tool that can support knowledge development.