Construction and Educational Impact of Plastination Models of the Limbic System, Basal Nuclei, Cerebellum, and Human Spinal Cord

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT06991933

Isfahan University of Medical Sciences60 enrolled

Overview

Purpose: This educational trial aims to assess whether plastination models for neuroanatomy training (limbic system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord)" improve medical students' understanding of central nervous system anatomy compared to traditional educational methods. It will also evaluate student satisfaction with this teaching tool. Key Questions: 1. Do plastination models for neuroanatomy training (limbic system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord) enhance test scores in neuroanatomy examinations? 2. How do students perceive the educational value of these models? Study Design: Researchers will compare two teaching methods: * Intervention group: Learns using plastination models for neuroanatomy training (limbic system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, spinal cord) * Control group: Learns using standard 2D atlases, power point and plastic models Participants will: 1. Complete a pre-intervention anatomy knowledge test 2. Attend 4 weekly neuroanatomy sessions using their assigned method 3. Take a post-intervention exam and satisfaction survey 4. Participate in focus groups about their learning experience

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Education Education, Medical

Interventions

Plastination Model GroupBEHAVIORAL

Model Specifications: "S10 silicone plastination models of brainstem structures (1:1 scale) with: • Sectioned at 2mm intervals to reveal internal architecture

Traditional Methods GroupBEHAVIORAL

1. Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy (9th ed.) 2. Standardized PowerPoint lectures

Eligibility

Sex: ALLHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Medical students in their third semester of training * Currently enrolled in neuroanatomy coursework at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences * No prior formal training with plastinated models * Willing to attend all study sessions for 7 weeks * Able to complete assessments in persian Exclusion Criteria: * Prior experience with plastinated models * Currently taking neuroanatomy remediation courses * Planned absences during \>20% of study sessions

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in neuroanatomy knowledge scores assessed by the "Neuroanatomy Knowledge Assessment Test

Scale Title: Neuroanatomy Knowledge Assessment Test (NKAT). Score Range: 0 (no correct answers) to 15 (all answers correct). Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better neuroanatomy knowledge (better outcome).

Time frame: Baseline, Week 4 post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Spatial understanding assessment

Method: 3D spatial reasoning test (modified Vandenberg scale) Scoring: 1-5 Likert scale for structure identification accuracy

Time frame: Post-intervention only

Student satisfaction assessed by the 10-item Student Satisfaction Survey (SSS)

* Score Range: 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). * Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction (better outcome).

Time frame: Immediately after the intervention (Day 1)