title: Mental practice with interactive 3D visual aids enhances surgical performance.
abstract: Evidence suggests that Mental Practice (MP) could be used to finesse surgical skills. However, MP is cognitively demanding and may be dependent on the ability of individuals to produce mental images. In this study, we hypothesised that the provision of interactive 3D visual aids during MP could facilitate surgical skill performance.
  
  
  
  20 surgical trainees were case-matched to one of three different preparation methods prior to performing a simulated Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC). Two intervention groups underwent a 25-minute MP session; one with interactive 3D visual aids depicting the relevant surgical anatomy (3D-MP group, n = 5) and one without (MP-Only, n = 5). A control group (n = 10) watched a didactic video of a real LC. Scores relating to technical performance and safety were recorded by a surgical simulator.
  
  
  
  The Control group took longer to complete the procedure relative to the 3D&MP condition (p = .002). The number of movements was also statistically different across groups (p = .001), with the 3D&MP group making fewer movements relative to controls (p = .001). Likewise, the control group moved further in comparison to the 3D&MP condition and the MP-Only condition (p = .004). No reliable differences were observed for safety metrics.
  
  
  
  These data provide evidence for the potential value of MP in improving performance. Furthermore, they suggest that 3D interactive visual aids during MP could potentially enhance performance, beyond the benefits of MP alone. These findings pave the way for future RCTs on surgical preparation and performance.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, St James University Hospital, Clinical Science Building, Beckett street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK. marinayiasemidou@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2599-4131
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yiasemidou
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber, University of Leeds, Willow Terrace Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glassman
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, St James University Hospital, Clinical Science Building, Beckett street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Mark-Mon
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, St James University Hospital, Clinical Science Building, Beckett street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jayne
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, St James University Hospital, Clinical Science Building, Beckett street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Miskovic
mesh_terms: D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D000066908:Simulation Training
keywords: Anatomical models; Mental practice; Surgical training