MedTrace Logo

Enhancing Laparoscopic Skill Acquisition and Retention With Transcranial Direct-current Stimulation

NCT02756052 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 48

Last updated 2017-11-14

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Recent changes in medical training environments and restrictive work-hour regulations have greatly impacted trainees, limiting the number of opportunities to gain proficiency in procedural skills. Reports suggest that medical residents lack confidence in their ability to perform certain medical procedures, and program directors often do not believe their residents can operate independently in major procedures. Simulator based task training (SBTT) has provided a safe and ethically appropriate method of skill acquisition but training opportunities remain limited. Methods to enhance motor learning during these training opportunities have not been described. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is an emerging form of non-invasive brain stimulation that has been shown to improve motor learning. tDCS has been shown to enhance increasingly complex skill acquisition. The investigators propose to examine if tDCS can improve the acquisition and retention of laparoscopic surgical skill. The investigators propose a double blind, sham-controlled randomized trial applying tDCS during evidence-based SBTT of medical students and surgical residents, to determine if brain stimulation can enhance training effects and long-term skill acquisition. Even a modest enhancement carries the potential to transform medicosurgical skills training.

Conditions

  • Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures

Interventions

DEVICE

Anodal Transcranial direct-current stimulation

NeuroConn Direct-Current Stimulator. Anodal tDCS: 45 second ramp up to 1milliamp, 20 minute current hold at 1milliamp, 45 second ramp down to 0milliamp. Anode positioned 2cm posterior to the left primary motor cortex, and the cathode over the contralateral supraorbital area.

DEVICE

Sham Transcranial direct-current stimulation

NeuroConn Direct-Current Stimulator. Sham tDCS: 45 second ramp up to 1milliamp, 60 second current hold at 1milliamp, 45 second ramp down to 0milliamp. Anode positioned 2cm posterior to the left primary motor cortex, and the cathode over the contralateral supraorbital area.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Calgary

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2016-03-31
Primary Completion
2016-08-31
Completion
2016-08-31

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02756052 on ClinicalTrials.gov