An Epiduroscopy Simulator Based on a Serious Game for Spatial Cognitive Training (EpiduroSIM): User-Centered Design Approach

Junho Ko; Jong Joo Lee; Seong-Wook Jang; Yeomin Yun; Sungchul Kang; Dong Ah Shin; Yoon Sang Kim

doi:10.2196/12678

An Epiduroscopy Simulator Based on a Serious Game for Spatial Cognitive Training (EpiduroSIM): User-Centered Design Approach

JMIR Serious Games. 2019 Aug 27;7(3):e12678. doi: 10.2196/12678.

Authors

Junho Ko^#¹, Jong Joo Lee^#², Seong-Wook Jang¹, Yeomin Yun², Sungchul Kang³, Dong Ah Shin^#², Yoon Sang Kim^#¹

Affiliations

¹ BioComputing Lab, Institute for Bio-Engineering Application Technology, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
³ Robot Center, Samsung Research, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 31456580
PMCID: PMC6734856
DOI: 10.2196/12678

Abstract

Background: Performing high-level surgeries with endoscopy is challenging, and hence, an efficient surgical training method or system is required. Serious game-based simulators can provide a trainee-centered educational environment unlike traditional teacher-centered education environments since serious games provide a high level of interaction (feedback that induces learning).

Objective: This study aimed to propose an epiduroscopy simulator, EpiduroSIM, based on a serious game for spatial cognitive training.

Methods: EpiduroSIM was designed based on a serious game. For spatial cognitive training, the virtual environment of EpiduroSIM was modeled based on a cognitive map.

Results: EpiduroSIM was developed considering user accessibility to provide various functions. The experiment for the validation of EpiduroSIM focused on psychological fidelity and repetitive training effects. The experiments were conducted by dividing 16 specialists into 2 groups of 8 surgeons. The group was divided into beginner and expert based on their epiduroscopy experience. The psychological fidelity of EpiduroSIM was confirmed through the training results of the expert group rather than the beginner group. In addition, the repetitive training effect of EpiduroSIM was confirmed by improving the training results in the beginner group.

Conclusions: EpiduroSIM may be useful for training beginner surgeons in epiduroscopy.

Keywords: catheters; endoscopy; medical education; surgery.

©Junho Ko, Jong Joo Lee, Seong-Wook Jang, Yeomin Yun, Sungchul Kang, Dong Ah Shin, Yoon Sang Kim. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (http://games.jmir.org), 27.08.2019.