NeuroTwister: Gamified learning to teach cross-sectional neuroanatomy to medical students

Neuroscience is a required course in many health professions curricula, but with it often comes neurophobia, the fear or difficulty that students experience when attempting to learn neuroscience. Traditional teaching methods in neuroanatomy may contribute to cognitive overload and stress, reinforcing the notion that neuroanatomy is exceptionally challenging. Game-based learning is one method to counteract these strains on the learner. NeuroTwister was developed to teach cross sections of the brain and brainstem and thus is classified as a serious game. Adapted from the game Twister® (Hasbro), NeuroTwister tasks students with placing a hand or foot on the correct brain or brainstem slice based on the spin of a wheel. A total of 103 second-year medical students participated in this study and completed a pre-test, four rounds of NeuroTwister, a post-test, a survey, and a course exam. The pre-test and post-test each contained twelve unique images of brain and brainstem cross sections. From the pre-test to post-test, students increased their scores and decreased the duration to complete the test (both p < 0.001). On a course exam several weeks later, students performed better on both first- and second-order questions of material learned by NeuroTwister compared to material learned by traditional methods (both p < 0.001). Survey results indicated an overall positive rating of the NeuroTwister game, with enjoyment of learning neuroanatomy rated the highest, followed by "increased my knowledge of neuroanatomy." These data support the potential of NeuroTwister to complement conventional educational approaches in neuroanatomy as a strategy to mitigate neurophobia and enhance learning.