Evaluation of target scores and benchmarks for the traversal task scenario of the Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) laparoscopy simulator.
BACKGROUND
The Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) simulator is validated for laparoscopy training, but benchmarks and target scores for assessing single tasks are needed.


METHODS
Control data for the MIST-VR traversal task scenario were collected from 61 novices who performed the task 10 times over 3 days (1 h daily). Data were collected on the time taken, error score, economy of movement, and total score. Test differences were analyzed through percentage scores and t-tests for paired samples.


RESULTS
Improvement was greatest over tests 1 to 5 (improvement: test(1.2), 38.07%; p = 0.000; test(4.5), 10.66%; p = 0.010): between tests 5 and 10, improvement slowed and scores stabilized. Variation in participants' performance fell steadily over the 10 tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Trainees should perform at least 10 tests of the traversal task-five to get used to the equipment and task (automation phase; target total score, 95.16) and five to stabilize and consolidate performance (test 10 target total score, 74.11).
Hackethal
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European Surgical Institute, Hummelsbüttler Steindamm 71, 22851 Norderstedt, Germany. Andreas.Hackethal@gyn.med.uni-giessen.de
Immenroth
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Bürger
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D000328:Adult; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards; D014584:User-Computer Interface