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Enhancing long-term knowledge retention in undergraduate stroke education through virtual simulation: a randomized
Xiaohua Shi1,2, Chunpeng Xu1,2, Hongyu Liu1,2
1Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Frontiers in Medicine
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Virtual simulation training significantly improves long-term retention of stroke education for medical students. This method enhances immediate recall and reduces knowledge decay compared to traditional bedside teaching.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Neurology
- Simulation Technology
Background:
- Virtual simulation is increasingly used in undergraduate medical education.
- Its effectiveness for long-term retention in stroke teaching is not well-established.
- This study compares virtual simulation with conventional bedside teaching for undergraduate stroke education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of virtual simulation-based teaching versus conventional bedside teaching for undergraduate stroke education.
- To evaluate the impact on immediate post-course scores and long-term knowledge retention.
- To assess knowledge decay over a 10-month period.
Main Methods:
- A single-center, prospective, randomized educational trial with 1:1 allocation.
- Fourth-year undergraduate medical students were assigned to either a simulation or conventional group.
- Outcomes were assessed immediately after the module and again 10 months later.
Main Results:
- The virtual simulation group demonstrated higher assessment scores at the 10-month follow-up compared to the conventional group (81.0 vs. 74.5).
- Adjusted analysis confirmed significantly higher long-term retention scores for the simulation group (adjusted mean difference, 6.37 points; P < 0.001).
- The simulation group also showed higher post-course scores and lower knowledge decay.
Conclusions:
- Virtual simulation-based teaching is effective for improving both immediate and long-term knowledge retention in undergraduate stroke education.
- It serves as a valuable adjunct to conventional bedside teaching methods.
- No adverse events were reported, supporting its safe implementation.
