Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
An Open-Source Virtual Reality System for the Measurement of Spatial Learning in Head-Restrained Mice
Published on: March 3, 2023
Visuospatial abilities and 3D-printed based learning
Matthias Schlund1, Nour Al-Badri2, Romain Nicot3
1Service de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale et Stomatologie, Univ. Bordeaux, CHU Bordeaux, INSERM, BioTis, U1026, Bordeaux, 33000, France. matthias.schlund@chu-bordeaux.fr.
Purpose:
The use of 3D-printing in every field of medicine is expanding, notably as an educational tool. The aim of this study was to assess how visuospatial abilities (VSA) of students may impact learning helped with 3D-printed models.
Methods:
Participants were undergraduate medical school students during their clinical rotation in oral and maxillofacial surgery in two French Universities. Students were included prospectively and consecutively from September 2021 to June 2023. First, a lecture about craniosynostosis was performed with the help of 3D-printed models of craniosynostotic skulls. Then, a mental rotation test (MRT) followed by a multiple-choice questions (MCQs) form about craniosynostosis presentations were submitted to the students.
Results:
Forty undergraduate students were finally included. Median MRT score was 15 (10.75;21) and median score to the MCQs was 13 (11.75;14). There was a significantly weak correlation between the MRT-A score and the score to the MCQs (rs = 0.364; p = 0.022). A simple linear regression was calculated to predict the result to the MCQs on MRT-A score [ (F(1,39) = 281.248; p < 0.0001), with a R2 of 0.878 ].
Conclusion:
This study showed that VSA has an impact on the recognition of complex clinical presentations, i.e. skulls with craniosynostosis. The correlation found between VSA and complex 3D shape recognition after learning aided with 3D-printed model is emphasizing the importance of VSA when using innovative technologies. Thus, VSA training should be envisioned during the curriculum.
