Anatomical Record, 2025/10, 308(S1):129. doi: 10.1002/ar.70037, type of study: ,ppt,

Full text    (https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.70037)

Keywords:

conference abstract [127]
embryology [37]
knowledge retention [1]
osteopathic medicine [2109]
pilot study [215]
pretest posttest design [240]
USA [1752]
virtual learning [17]
virtual reality [11]

Abstract:

Understanding embryological development is essential for medical education, yet its conceptual nature poses significant challenges. Virtual reality (VR) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing three-dimensional (3D) spatial understanding of gross anatomy but has not been applied extensively to embryology education. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a VR-based embryology learning platform for improving knowledge retention and comprehension among medical students. A VR module depicting early human development from fertilization to organogenesis was created using Maxon Cinema 4D and rendered into a pre-recorded video format to minimize user error with the Meta Quest 3 system. Fifty second-year medical students at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine participated in the study. A pre-test/post-test design assessed knowledge acquisition following exposure to the VR module. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to analyze the nonnormally distributed quiz scores. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB- 2023-172). Among 47 matched responses, post-test scores showed a significant increase compared to pre-test scores (2.77 @plusmn; 1.09 vs. 3.55 @plusmn; 0.65 out of 4, p < 0.0001). Participants who previously lacked confidence in traditional learning methods demonstrated an average score increase of 1.25. Additionally, students who were hesitant about emerging technologies showed an average improvement of 0.875. The VR embryology platform significantly enhances student comprehension and retention of embryological concepts. By providing an immersive, interactive learning experience, VR has the potential to bridge the gap between theoretical embryology and its clinical applications, ultimately improving medical education and patient care outcomes.