Using the mind as a simulator: a randomized controlled trial of mental training.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• Cognitive Training

Background:

• Laparoscopic simulators are established tools for skill development.
• Mental training involves mentally rehearsing tasks, used by athletes and musicians.
• Its application in surgical training for novices is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of mental training in novice laparoscopic skill acquisition.
• To compare mental training with virtual reality simulation and traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• 64 novices were randomized into four groups: box trainer only, box trainer + virtual reality, box trainer + mental training, and virtual reality + mental training.
• Skills were assessed on time, accuracy, precision, and overall performance using box trainers and virtual simulators.

Main Results:

• The group combining box training with mental training showed significant skill improvement on both assessment methods.
• Virtual reality training alone showed benefits only on the virtual simulator.
• The box-free virtual reality group performed the worst on both assessments.

Conclusions:

• Mental training enhances basic laparoscopic skill development in novices.
• It presents a flexible and potentially more cost-effective alternative to virtual reality simulation.
• Further research may support incorporating mental training into surgical curricula.