Formula-S: Situated Visualization for Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Learning

Area of Science:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) education
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula learning presents challenges for beginners due to complex composition rules and lack of interactive methods.
• Existing learning tools often lack contextual understanding and engagement, hindering effective knowledge acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate Formula-S, a situated visualization method using augmented reality (AR) for TCM formula learning.
• To assess the effectiveness of Formula-S in enhancing TCM formula learning for novices compared to traditional text-based and web-based visualization methods.

Main Methods:

• Developed Formula-S, an interactive AR tool with 3D, Web, and Table modes, integrating hierarchical formula visualization with multidimensional herb attribute visualization.
• Conducted a controlled study (n=30) with novice participants using HoloLens 2, assessing task performance (accuracy, response time) and user experience (usability, cognitive load).
• Utilized a dataset of TCM formulas and herb properties from authoritative references and the SymMap database.

Main Results:

• Formula-S demonstrated comparable accuracy to traditional and web-based methods but significantly reduced response time in herbal formula learning tasks.
• The AR approach achieved higher system usability and lower task load, indicating reduced cognitive load for users.
• Participants reported an enhanced learning experience due to Formula-S's intuitive interface and immersive AR environment.

Conclusions:

• The situated visualization method of Formula-S offers more efficient and accurate searching capabilities for TCM formulas.
• Formula-S provides superior contextual understanding, making it a promising and advantageous solution for TCM education.
• This AR-based approach significantly improves the usability and efficiency of learning complex TCM formulas.