Research on Learning in Virtual Reality

Since 2018, VitaSim has participated in research projects on virtual reality (VR) and learning. During this time, we have collaborated with international universities and hospitals on more than 20 scientific studies, to understand and investigate the learning efficacy of VR in training and education. Most of these studies are now published in respected, peer-reviewed journal. 

Many of the tested hypotheses’ come from our belief that hands-on training and peer-learning are important in healthcare professions, but that it can be difficult to achieve ideal learning conditions. This can either be due to instructors not always being available or if a procedure (or part of it) is difficult to simulate in the classroom (e.g., use of expensive equipment or procedures that involve safety risks). We believe these are areas where VR simulation training can help improve educational outcomes by allowing learners to make mistakes and learn from them in a safe, risk-free training environment.

But to us, belief is not enough. Therefore, it is important that our VR solutions are evidence based, and the benefits from our solutions are scientifically documented. While some studies have been more fruitful than others, we are convinced that, when applied at right points in a learning process, VR can be used to enhance learning outcomes.

You can find summaries of the most important studies below, as well as links to the full articles.

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Ongoing Research

  • Virtual Reality based training in Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Venous Cannulation. 
    Ongoing research project, estimated to end Q4 2024.
  • Learning and Training Lumbar Puncture in Fully Immersive Virtual Reality. 
    Ongoing research project, estimated to end Q1 2025.
  • Virtual Reality Simulation-based Training of Osteosynthesis – Assessment of Surgical Skills and Decision-making.
    On-going PhD project, estimated end Q3 2025.
  • Using Full Immersion Virtual Reality to Develop and Ensure Competence in Focused Ultrasound for Assessment of Respiratory Patients.
    On-going PhD project, estimated end Q3 2027.
  1.  

Using Virtual Reality to Assess Competence in Abdominal Point-of-Care Ultrasound.
Verland ME, Jensen RO, Nielsen AB, Posth S, Konge L, Graumann O, Pietersen PI
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2024, WFUMB Ultrasound Open
Description: A study investigating the use of virtual reality for competence assessment, and establishing validity evidence for a competence test. 
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949668324000156

Assessment of Basic Thoracic Ultrasound Skills in Immersive Virtual Reality: Gathering Validity Evidence.
Nielsen AB, Dragsbæk J, Jaobsen N, Laursen CB, Farr A, Slavicky M, Konge L, Pietersen PI
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2024, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Description: A study investigating the use of virtual reality for competence assessment, and establishing validity evidence for a competence test. 
Link: https://www.umbjournal.org/article/S0301-5629(23)00377-0/fulltext

Education in Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma using Immersive Virtual Reality: A Prospective, Interventional Cohort Study and Non-Inferiority Analysis with a Historical Control
Junge K, Larsen JD, Stougaard SW, Jensenb RO, Falster C, Posth S, Nielseng AB, Laursen CB, Konge L, Graumann O, Pietersen PI
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2023, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Description: A study investigating the use of virtual reality as a training tool for mastering ultrasound skills. 
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38040522/

Using Virtual Reality Simulation for Training Practical Skills in Musculoskeletal Wrist X-ray – A Pilot Study
Jensen J, Graumann O, Jensen RO, Gade S, Thielsen MG, Most W, Pietersen PI
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2023, Journal of Clinical Imaging Science
Description: A study investigating the use of virtual reality as a training tool for radiographers. 
Link: https://clinicalimagingscience.org/using-virtual-reality-simulation-for-training-practical-skills-in-musculoskeletal-wrist-x-ray-a-pilot-study/

Education in Focused Lung Ultrasound Using Gamified Immersive Virtual Reality: A Randomized Controlled Study
Larsen JD, Jensen RO, Pietersen PI, Jacobsen N, Falster C, Nielsen AB, Laursen CB, Konge L, Graumann O
Collaborators: Odense Respiratory Research Unit (ODIN) & Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2022, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Description: A study investigating the use of virtual reality as an at-home training tool as well as the learning efficacy of gamification. 
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36535832/

Using Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation to Ensure Competence in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.
Jacobsen N, Larsen JD, Falster C, Nolsøe CP, Konge L, Graumann O, Laursen CB
Collaborators: Odense Respiratory Research Unit, Odense University Hospital
Published: 2022, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Description: A study investigating the use of virtual reality as a competence assessment tool and collecting validity evidence for a competence test. 
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35227531/

Virtual Reality Prepares Healthcare Professionals for Everyday Clinical Life
Junge K, Larsen JD, Jacobsen N, Jensen RO, Nielsen AB, Jensen J, Graumann O
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY) & Center for Simulation Training (SimC), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2022, Danish MedicoTechnical Society’s (DMTS) Journal 
Description: Article on the use of virtual reality in the healthcare sector, highlighting active projects and research challenges.
Link: http://ipaper.ipapercms.dk/TechMedia/Medicoteknik/2022/?page=22

Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays in Medical Education – A Systematic Review
Tursø-Finnich T, Jensen RO, Jensen LX, Konge L, Thinggaard E
Collaborators
: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES)
Published: 2022, Simulation in Healthcare – Journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
Description: Systematic review of studies related to the use of virtual reality in medical education.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35136005/

Teaching Ultrasound-guided Peripheral Venous Catheter Placement through Immersive Virtual Reality: An Explorative Pilot Study.
Andersen NL, Jensen RO, Posth S, Laursen CB, Jørgensen R, Graumann O
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2021, Medicine (Baltimore)
Description: Randomized, controlled pilot study, investigating the learning efficacy of supplementing traditional e-learning with VR training. 
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8270624/ 

Immersive Virtual Reality Basic Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Andersen NL, Jensen RO, Laursen CB, Posth S, Konge L, Graumann O
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY) & Odense Respiratory Research Unit, Odense University Hospital
Published: 2021, Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Description: Randomized and controlled pilot study, comparing the learning efficacy of VR with traditional e-learning. 
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36216656/ 

Clinical Ultrasound Education for Medical Students – Virtual Reality versus E-learning: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Nielsen MR, Kristensen EQ, Jensen RO, Mollerup AM, Pfeiffer T, Graumann O
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2021, Ultrasound Quarterly
Description: Randomized and controlled pilot study, comparing the learning efficacy of VR with traditional e-learning. 
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34478430/ 

Virtual Reality – The Future of Ultrasound Training, or Just a Gimmick?
Larsen JD, Graumann O, Jensen RO
Collaborators: Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology (UNIFY), Odense University Hospital
Published: 2021, Ultraschall in der Medizin
Description: Brief communication on challenges related to education and training in ultrasound, and the potential of virtual reality training.
Link: https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/a-1652-8021