title: Effect of training frequency on the learning curve on the da Vinci Skills Simulator.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of training on the performance outcome with the da Vinci Skills Simulator.
  
  
  
  Forty novices were enrolled in a prospective training curriculum. Participants were separated into 2 groups. Group 1 performed 4 training sessions and group 2 had 2 training sessions over a 4-week period. Five exercises were performed 3 times consecutively. On the last training day, a new exercise was added.
  
  
  
  A significant skills gain from the first to the final practice day in overall performance, time to complete, and economy of motion was seen for both groups. Group 1 had a significantly better outcome in overall performance, time to complete, and economy of motion in all exercises. There was no significant difference found regarding the new exercise in group 1 versus group 2 in nearly all parameters.
  
  
  
  Longer time distances between training sessions are assumed to play a secondary role, whereas total repetition frequency is crucial for improvement of technical performance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1762-E1769, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Walliczek
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Förtsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dworschak
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teymoortash
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Magis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandapathil
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Marburg, University of Gießen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Güldner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D000066908:Simulation Training; D066231:Surgeons / Q000193:education*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: da Vinci Skills Simulator; otorhinolaryngology; robotic surgery; robotic surgery education; training frequency; transoral robotic surgery