Construction and Educational Impact of Plastination Models of the Limbic System, Basal Nuclei, Cerebellum, and Human Spinal Cord

NCT06991933 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: IR.ARI.MUI.REC.1404.0071403315
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Purpose: This educational trial aims to assess whether plastination models for neuroanatomy training (limbic system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord)" improve medical students' understanding of central nervous system anatomy compared to traditional educational methods. It will also evaluate student satisfaction with this teaching tool. Key Questions:

• Intervention group: Learns using plastination models for neuroanatomy training (limbic system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord)
• Control group: Learns using standard 2D atlases, power point and plastic models Participants will:
• Complete a pre-intervention anatomy knowledge test
• Attend 4 weekly neuroanatomy sessions using their assigned method
• Take a post-intervention exam and satisfaction survey
• Participate in focus groups about their learning experience

Conditions

Education; Education, Medical; Education, Medical, Undergraduate

Keywords

Medical education; Neuroanatomy; plastination model

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in neuroanatomy knowledge scores assessed by the "Neuroanatomy Knowledge Assessment Test

  Scale Title: Neuroanatomy Knowledge Assessment Test (NKAT). Score Range: 0 (no correct answers) to 15 (all answers correct). Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better neuroanatomy knowledge (better outcome).

  Baseline, Week 4 post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Spatial understanding assessment

  Post-intervention only

• Student satisfaction assessed by the 10-item Student Satisfaction Survey (SSS)

  Immediately after the intervention (Day 1)

Study Arms (2)

Arm 1 : Plastination Model Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Receives instruction using plastinated models of: * Brainstem * Limbic system * Basal ganglia * Cerebellum * Spinal cord Duration: 7 weeks of training (2 hours/week) Taught by professor who every year teaches neuroanatomy Assessment: Standardized anatomy exams + spatial reasoning tests

Behavioral: Plastination Model Group

Traditional Methods Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Receives equivalent instruction using: * Standard textbook and 2D atlases (e.g., Netter's) * Lectures with 2D projections Matched in duration and instructor expertise Same assessment protocol as an experimental group

Behavioral: Traditional Methods Group

Interventions

Plastination Model Group BEHAVIORAL

Model Specifications: "S10 silicone plastination models of brainstem structures (1:1 scale) with: • Sectioned at 2mm intervals to reveal internal architecture

Arm 1 : Plastination Model Group

Traditional Methods Group BEHAVIORAL

1. Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy (9th ed.) 2. Standardized PowerPoint lectures

Traditional Methods Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Medical students in their third semester of training
• Currently enrolled in neuroanatomy coursework at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
• No prior formal training with plastinated models
• Willing to attend all study sessions for 7 weeks
• Able to complete assessments in persian

You may not qualify if:

• Prior experience with plastinated models
• Currently taking neuroanatomy remediation courses
• Planned absences during \>20% of study sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Isfahan University of Medical Sciences: lead

Central Study Contacts

Mehrnoush Malekzadeh, Ph.D

CONTACT

09133097258; mehrnoush.malekzadeh@med.mui.ac.ir

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 10, 2025
• First Posted: May 28, 2025
• Study Start: October 23, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 29, 2025
• Study Completion: January 20, 2026
• Last Updated: May 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share