The Impact of Classical Music on Performance in Robotic Surgery Simulation

NCT07639788 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: 1041/2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this experimental crossover study using the da Vinci simulator, the aim is to investigate how classical music influences the surgical performance of medical students. Following a brief training phase, participants complete standardized tasks under two conditions (no music vs. classical music). Performance is assessed using an objective trainer score. The study is conducted in a risk-free simulation environment, the stimuli are standardized, participation is voluntary, and data are collected in a pseudonymized manner. The goal is to obtain evidence-based insights into the effects of music and distraction on training and the working environment in robotic surgery.

Conditions

Surgical; Surgical Behaviour in the Operating Room; Da Vinci Robot; da Vinci SP Surgical System; Music Exposure; Music Listening Intervention; Robotic Surgery Simulation Training

Keywords

operating room; da vinci; robotic surgery; music exposure; surgical performance; medial students; music listening intervention; robotic surgery simulation training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Da Vinci Surgical Performance Score

  The primary outcome measure reflects the objective performance in the robotic da Vinci simulator and is automatically calculated by the simulation system based on parameters including total task completion time, error rate, and task precision. A higher score indicates a better performance during the task.

  Once after each cycle (estimated: 15 minutes per cycle) of performing the standardized simulated surgical tasks (once with and once without exposure to Classical Music), the Performance Score will be measured by the simulation system.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Subjective Performance Score 1

  After each cycle (estimated: 15 minutes per cycle)of performing the standardized simulated surgical tasks (once with and once without exposure to Classical Music), the Subjective Performance Score will be measured by the SURG-TLX.

• Subjective Performance Score 2

  After each cycle (estimated: 15 minutes per cycle) of performing the standardized simulated surgical tasks (once with and once without exposure to Classical Music), the Subjective Performance Score will be measured by the additional questionnaire.

Study Arms (2)

No music exposure while performing standardize exercises

NO INTERVENTION

After a short training phase, participants perform the standardized exercises on the da Vinci simulator without any background music.

Classical Music exposure while performing standardize exercises

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

After a short training phase, participants perform the standardized exercises on the da Vinci simulator while listening to classical music.

Behavioral: Exposure to Classical Music

Interventions

Exposure to Classical Music BEHAVIORAL

Exposure to Classical Music through headphones while performing standardized exercises on the da Vinci robotic surgery simulator.

Classical Music exposure while performing standardize exercises

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• The study includes adult (≥ 18 years) medical students between the first completed and the twelfth completed semester. Prior experience in robotic surgery or with training simulators is not required; however, basic familiarity with the use of technical devices is necessary. Furthermore, participants must have sufficient knowledge of German or English to provide informed consent and fully understand the instructions.

You may not qualify if:

• Lack of capacity to provide informed consent
• Insufficient language proficiency (German/English)
• Known hypersensitivity to noise
• Hearing or balance disorders
• Conditions that significantly affect attention or motor skills (e.g., tremor, myopathies)
• Acute illnesses that may impair participation, substance influence, or severe fatigue
• Direct dependency or evaluative relationship with members of the study team

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Vienna: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medical University of Vienna

Vienna, State of Vienna, 1090, Austria

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ao.Univ.-Prof. Dr.med.univ. René Wenzl, MSc., Head of Endometriosis Center

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 19, 2026
• First Posted: June 10, 2026
• Study Start: May 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AU (1)