Virtual Reality Case Simulations for Teaching Voice Disorder Assessment: A Pilot Mixed-Methods Comparison With...

To pilot an immersive virtual reality (VR) clinical case simulation and understand its effects on graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) students' confidence and clinical decision-making during a voice disorder case compared with a traditional computer-based (SimuCase) simulation.

Eighteen graduate SLP students enrolled in a voice disorders course participated in a mixed-methods study. Students were randomly assigned to complete the "Amy" SimuCase case history portion either in VR (n = 9) or entirely on SimuCase (Computer Group; n = 9). Accuracy of clinical decision-making was analyzed using logistic regression with a correction for small sample bias, and pre-/post survey data on confidence were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models. Short-response reflections were thematically coded to contextualize quantitative findings.

Students in the VR Group demonstrated significantly higher accuracy than those in the Computer Group. VR participants reported significantly higher overall confidence across voice evaluation and treatment domains; however, there was no significant PrePost effect or PrePost × Group interaction, indicating that the data did not support confidence gains in the VR Group. Qualitative data suggested that VR enhanced engagement and perceived realism, while Computer Group participants cited limited feedback and difficulty monitoring progress.

Students who took part in the VR simulation demonstrated higher accuracy and reported higher overall confidence than students in the Computer Group in this pilot cohort. Results should be interpreted cautiously given the small sample. The findings highlight the need for future research on VR's potential to enhance experiential learning.