学术文献库

Simulation-based training is an effective tool for acquiring practical skills, specifically to train new surgeons in a controlled and hazard-free environment, it is however important to measure participants cognitive load to decide whether they are ready to go into a real surgery. In the present study we measured performance on a surgery simulator of medical students and interns, while their brain activity was monitored by a mobile EEG device. 38 medical studentswere underwent 3 experiments undergoing a task with Simbionix simulator, while their brain activity was measured using a single-channel EEG device (Aurora by Neurosteer). On each experiment, participants performed 3 repeats of a simulator task using laparoscopic hands. The retention between tasks was different on each experiment, to examine changes in performance and cognitive load biomarkers that occur during the task or as a results of night sleep consolidation. The participants behavioral performance improved with trial repetition in all 3 experiments. In Exps. 1 & 2, the theta band activity significantly decreased with better individual performance, as exhibited by some of the behavioral measurements of the simulator. The novel VC9 biomarker (previously shown to correlate with cognitive load), exhibited a significant decrease with better individual performance shown by all behavioral measurements. In correspondence with previous research, theta decreased with lower cognitive load and higher performance and the novel biomarker, VC9, showed higher sensitivity to load changes. Together, these measurements might be for neuroimaging assessment of cognitive load while performing simulator laparoscopic tasks. This could potentially be expanded to evaluate efficacy of different medical simulations to provide more efficient training to medical staff and to measure cognitive and mental load in real laparoscopic surgeries.