Development and Assessment of a 360° Video-Based Virtual Reality Application to Enhance Medical Students' Preparation for Initial Cadaver Dissection

NCT07521033 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 25-00015
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 43
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

For many medical students, their first experience with cadaver dissection can be stressful and emotionally challenging. This study developed a 360° video-based virtual reality (VR) application to allow students to explore the anatomy lab and understand the dissection process before their first session. The study compared students who used the VR experience with those who received traditional preparation methods. It examined whether the VR tool reduced anxiety and improved students' emotional readiness before and during their first cadaver dissection. The findings aimed to determine whether this immersive technology could make the learning experience more comfortable and supportive for students

Conditions

Stress; Anxiety

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Dissection; Anatomy; Anxiety; Educational technology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in state anxiety levels measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State) from baseline to prior to first cadaver dissection

  State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure level of anxiety. The instrument contains 40 items measuring two related yet distinct anxiety dimensions: State Anxiety (SA) and Trait Anxiety (TA). Each dimension comprises 20 items that generate separate numerical scores. Both SA and TA scores range from 20 to 80, with higher values indicating elevated anxiety levels.

  From baseline (prior to intervention) to immediately post-intervention (after completion of the 360° VR experience for the intervention group and equivalent time point for the control group)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in state anxiety levels measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State) across multiple time points (baseline, post-intervention, and post-dissection)

  From baseline (pre-intervention) to immediately post-intervention, immediately after the first cadaver dissection session, and 7 days after the start of dissection sessions

Study Arms (2)

360° Virtual reality Dissection Preparation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received access to a 360° video-based virtual reality application designed to prepare them for their first cadaver dissection. The VR experience allowed students to explore the anatomy laboratory environment and observe the dissection process prior to their initial session. This intervention was provided in addition to the standard preparation activities. Outcomes included measures of anxiety and self-reported emotional preparedness assessed before and during the dissection experience.

Behavioral: A 360° video-based virtual reality application

Standard Anatomy Laboratory Preparation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group received the usual preparation for their first cadaver dissection, which included traditional orientation to the anatomy laboratory and standard instructional materials, without exposure to the VR application. Outcomes included measures of anxiety and self-reported emotional preparedness assessed at the same time points as the intervention group.

Behavioral: A 360° video-based virtual reality application

Interventions

A 360° video-based virtual reality application BEHAVIORAL

A 360° video-based virtual reality application providing immersive, real-world simulation of the anatomy laboratory environment and cadaver dissection process for pre-dissection orientation

360° Virtual reality Dissection Preparation; Standard Anatomy Laboratory Preparation

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• First-year medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar for the 2025-26 academic year
• Participants must be aged 18 years or older.

You may not qualify if:

• Students who decline the invitation to participate in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar: lead

Study Sites (1)

Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar

Doha, Qatar

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Mange Festo Manyama, Doctor of Medicine

  Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2026
• First Posted: April 9, 2026
• Study Start: August 12, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 28, 2025
• Study Completion: August 28, 2025
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF
• Time Frame: Data will be available beginning 12 months after publication and will remain available for 3 years
• Access Criteria: De-identified individual participant data and supporting documentation (including the study protocol and data description document) will be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request. Access will be granted to researchers with a methodologically sound proposal for academic or scientific purposes. Requests should be directed to the corresponding investigator and will be reviewed by the research team. Data will be shared through secure means (e.g., encrypted email or institutional data-sharing platforms) following approval of the request. A data use agreement may be required to ensure appropriate use of the data and protection of participant confidentiality.

Locations

QA (1)