title: A randomised controlled trial of sensory awareness training and additional motor practice for learning scalpel skills in podiatry students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The process of using a scalpel, like all other motor activities, is dependent upon the successful integration of afferent (sensory), cognitive and efferent (motor) processes. During learning of these skills, even if motor practice is carefully monitored there is still an inherent risk involved. It is also possible that this strategy could reinforce high levels of anxiety experienced by the student and affect student self-efficacy, causing detrimental effects on motor learning. An alternative training strategy could be through targeting sensory rather than motor processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Second year podiatry students who were about to commence learning scalpel skills were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated into sensory awareness training (Sensory), additional motor practice (Motor) or usual teaching only (Control) groups. Participants were then evaluated on psychological measures (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory) and dexterity measures (Purdue Pegboard, Grooved Pegboard Test and a grip-lift task).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 44 participants were included in the study. There were no baseline differences or significant differences between the three groups over time on the Perceived Competence, Effort/ Importance or Pressure/ Tension, psychological measures. All groups showed a significant increase in Perceived Competence over time (F1,41= 13.796, p = 0.001). Only one variable for the grip-lift task (Preload Duration for the non-dominant hand) showed a significant difference over time between the groups (F2,41= 3.280, p = 0.038), specifically, Motor and Control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of sensory awareness training, or additional motor practice did not provide a more effective alternative compared with usual teaching. Further research may be warranted using more engaged training, provision of supervision and greater participant numbers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616001428459 . Registered 13thOctober 2016. Registered Retrospectively.
authors.affiliation: Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia. Ryan.Causby@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ryan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Causby
authors.affiliation: Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.affiliation: Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009520:New Zealand; D011032:Podiatry / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013337:Students, Medical
keywords: Clinical Skills; Dexterity; Grip-lift test; Grooved Pegoard Test; Intrinsic Motivation Inventory; Motor learning; Psychomotor testing; Purdue Pegboard; Scalpel skills