Cognitive Load Measurement of Using Virtual Reality Headset (Oculus Rift CV1) to Enrich the Anatomy Course and...

Despite the exponential growth of education in recent years, the anatomy course is taught in all medical school departments in the early years to provide a strong foundation for medical education and clinical training. Integrating technological innovations such as virtual reality programs that realistically display human anatomy through computer simulation into lectures may benefit medical students in their studies. Therefore, this study aims to suggest a potential use of VR to reduce cognitive loads in the anatomy course in higher education. Twenty third-year medical students at King Abdulaziz University were given a virtual reality headset (Oculus Rift CV1) with the 3D Organon VR Anatomy application in a quasi-experimental design. The data were collected from students who wore the Oculus Rift CV1 and completed five tasks. Students were then asked to fill out three questionnaires about their opinions. These findings should be interpreted in light of the study's small sample size, lack of a control group, and single-gender population. The study's findings revealed that traditional anatomy teaching methods caused cognitive distractions for students. However, virtual reality headsets were associated with a mean cognitive load rating of 19.7, suggesting a potential to reduce cognitive burden. These findings support the argument for using virtual reality headsets in anatomy courses and opening virtual reality labs in medical colleges. Medical faculty should accept and experience virtual reality technology without the fear of students leaving the dissection lab.