Mental Rotation, 3D Perception, and Practical Skill Development in Physiotherapy Students

NCT07241026 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AIBU-FTR-RK-13
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 118
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the role of mental rotation and 3D perception abilities in shaping the practical skill performance of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. By exploring the relationship between spatial cognitive abilities and hands-on competencies, the research aims to provide insights that may improve educational strategies and clinical training outcomes.

Conditions

Educational Problems

Keywords

Mental Rotation; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Grade Point Average (GPA)

  To evaluate the overall academic performance of participants, Grade Point Average (GPA) will be collected from university records. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale, with 0.0 representing failing performance and 4.0 representing excellent academic achievement. Higher scores indicate better academic performance.

  Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months

• Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations (PSVT-R)

  To assess participants' spatial visualization and mental rotation abilities, the PSVT-R will be administered. The test comprises 30 multiple-choice items, each with a single correct answer, scored 1 for correct and 0 for incorrect responses. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores reflecting stronger spatial visualization skills.

  Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Corsi Block-Tapping Test

  Baseline and eight weeks

• Test Anxiety Inventory

  Baseline and eight weeks

• Enjoyment and Recommendation

  Baseline and eight weeks

• Test Taking Motivation Questionnaire

  Baseline and eight weeks

• Mental Rotation Test

  Baseline and eight weeks

Study Arms (2)

3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a structured mental rotation and 3D spatial cognition training program, consisting of immersive virtual reality (VR) practice, computerized rotation tasks, and hands-on spatial exercises

Other: Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program

Sham 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants will receive a sham mental rotation and 3D spatial cognition program, consisting of non-spatial computerized tasks and general educational activities without targeted spatial training

Other: Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program

Interventions

Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program OTHER

Participants will undergo a 60-minute training session, consisting of immersive 3D/VR practice, computerized mental rotation tasks, and hands-on spatial exercises. Each session will begin with a 20-minute VR-based activity in which students interact with anatomical models and 3D objects, rotating and orienting them to match different views and cross-sections. This will be followed by a 20-minute computerized module, where participants complete adaptive mental rotation tasks of varying angular disparity, including both object-based and body-posture items. The final 15-20 minutes will include practical spatial exercises, such as assembling 3D anatomical puzzles, reach-and-place tasks, and proprioceptive orientation drills.Training will be delivered 3 days per week for 8 weeks.

3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation

Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program OTHER

Participants will undergo a 60-minute training session, consisting of non-spatial computerized tasks, general cognitive exercises, and low-demand hands-on activities. Each session will begin with a 20-minute computer-based activity presenting neutral content, such as quizzes, word puzzles, or simple problem-solving tasks, without requiring 3D manipulation or mental rotation. This will be followed by a 20-minute module of general cognitive tasks, including memory or attention exercises unrelated to spatial orientation. The final 15-20 minutes will include low-intensity hands-on activities, such as organizing materials or following simple step-by-step instructions, designed to match the duration and engagement of the intervention arm without targeting spatial cognition. Training will be delivered 3 days per week for 8 weeks.

Sham 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

You may not qualify if:

• History of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting upper-limb function or spatial cognition
• Severe visual impairments that cannot be corrected
• History of epilepsy, severe motion sickness, or vestibular disorders
• Participation in other spatial-cognition or VR-based training programs within the last 6 months
• Use of medications affecting cognitive function or balance

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Abant Izzet Baysal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Bolu, 14300, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• ramazan kurul, phd

  Abant Izzet Baysal University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Control group will receive sham mental rotation and 3D perception exercises fand outcome assessor will be blinded to group allocation
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assc. Prof

Model Details: Prospective parallel group with double-blinded design

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Posted: November 21, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: July 30, 2025
• Study Completion: September 30, 2025
• Last Updated: November 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: After publication of the research.
• Access Criteria: ramazankurul@ibu.edu.tr

Locations

TU (1)