Effects of an Immersive 180° Video-Based Virtual Reality Instructional Module on Learning Satisfaction, Technology...

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Medical Simulation
• Virtual Reality in Healthcare

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive learning experiences in health professions education.
• Its impact on learner experience and short-term outcomes for musculoskeletal special tests is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare immersive 180° video-based VR instruction with conventional 2D video instruction.
• To evaluate effects on physical therapy students' learning satisfaction, technology acceptance, motivation, and knowledge acquisition.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving undergraduate physical therapy students.
• VR group used a head-mounted display for 180° video instruction; control group used a 2D monitor.
• Outcomes assessed via questionnaires and a 12-item quiz before and after intervention.

Main Results:

• The VR group reported significantly higher learning satisfaction and technology acceptance.
• No significant differences were found in quiz-based learning achievement between groups.
• Learning motivation results were inconclusive, with no clear advantage for VR.

Conclusions:

• Immersive 180° VR video instruction improved learning satisfaction and technology acceptance compared to 2D video.
• VR shows potential as a supplementary educational tool in physical therapy.
• Further research is needed to clarify VR's impact on psychomotor skills training.