Medical EducationNCT05834374
Training for Transfer by Contextual Variation
A study testing Contextual variation and Maximum affordances in people with Medical Education, run by Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet at 1 site in Denmark.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized study is to investigate the effect of introducing contextual variation on transfer when learning a technical skill in a group of medical students. The main questions it aims to answer is: If context variation of specific affordance conditions enhance the learner's ability to transfer out?… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Medical Education
- What is being tested?
- Contextual variation and Maximum affordances
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 110 participants
- Where
- 1 siteDenmark
- Study dates
- 17 Mar 2021to 7 Oct 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Passed a general anatomy exam
- Proficiency in Danish
Who cannot join
- Previous ultrasound experience except mandatory training as part of the medical curriculum
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Denmark1 site
Copenhagen Academy of Medical Education and Simulation
Copenhagen
About this study
Official title: Training for Transfer by Contextual Variation: A Randomized Study
The goal of this randomized study is to investigate the effect of introducing contextual variation on transfer when learning a technical skill in a group of medical students. The main questions it aims to answer is: If context variation of specific affordance conditions enhance the learner's ability to transfer out? Participants will practice performing an invasive ultrasound guided procedure either on a fantom with maximum affordances or with contextual variation. Researchers will compare the maximum affordances group and the contextual variation group to see if its effects compared to the control group with minimal affordances.
Read the detailed description
Participants:
Participants are medical student from the University of Copenhagen. They are recruited by announcements on student fora on Facebook.
Randomization:
The participants are randomized to the intervention group contextual variation, the intervention group maximum affordances or control group minimum affordances in an 1:1:1 allocation ratio. In addition, the order of the four transfer tests (a, b, c and d) is randomly selected for each participant. The randomization was conducted by an independent research assistant at CAMES. Random permuted blocks are generated online for both the intervention and the transfer test.
Equiptment:
The training session is conducted on a ballistic gel cube. Three cavities are excavated corresponding to the points of a triangle at the bottom of the cube. Each cavity include a 5" latex balloon filled with 10ml water. The ballistic gel is coloured with graphite thus, the cavities can only be visualized by ultrasound. The participants are instructed to perform ultrasound guided needle puncture of the cavities using a 20 ml syringe and a 15 cm, 18 Gauge biopsy needle. When all the three cavities are emptied the participant receive a new cube with refilled balloons. The new cube is equivalent to the old apart from being rotated 180 degrees. The participant are given one hour to empty as many cavities as possible. They are encouraged to track the needle with ultrasound while in the cube. The transfer test is performed on a CVS mannikin. The GE HealthCare LOGIQTM e Ultrasound is used with a C1-5 RS probe with or without the GE HealthCare C1-5 non-sterile ultrasound needle guide for both the training session and the transfer tests.
Intervention:
In the first learning session the participants are provided with an ultrasound probe and a needle and instructed to detect and aim at a fixed target in a cube made of ballistic gel. The contextual variation group alternate between six affordance conditions where the surface of the model i either half covered combined with no guide, a partial guide or a complete guide. The maximum affordances group has half the surface model covered and a complete guide throughout the session. The control group has the whole surface uncovered and no guide throughout the session. The participants will have 60 minutes to complete the training.
Transfer test:
The groups are re-invited seven days after completed training for a transfer test. The transfer test include four cases (a, b, c, d) where the overall aim is to perform a CVS procedure on a CVS mannikin. In case a and b, the participant has the affordances of a guide on the ultrasound probe and the screen. In case c and d, there is a lack of affordances by not using a guide on the probe or screen. The placental position is anterior in case a and c, and posterior in case b and d. The transfer test measures both the transfer out, i.e. applying a skill learned in one context to a new context, and transfer in, how the learner learns with the acquired skills in the new context. The order of the transfer tests is randomized at inclusion. The participants receive a brief introduction to the chorionic villus sampling (CVS) procedure ahead of the transfer test by watching a video where the procedure is performed in a clinical setting.
- Conditions
- Medical Education
- Being tested
- Contextual variation, Maximum affordances
- Keywords
- Medical education, Affordances, Contextual variation, Invasisve ultrasound skills
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Contextual variationOther
Also called Maximum affordances
The participants are instructed to perform ultrasound guided needle puncture of the cavities using a 20 ml syringe and a 15 cm, 18 Gauge biopsy needle. When all the three cavities are emptied the participant receive a new cube with refilled balloons. The new cube is equivalent to the old apart from being rotated 180 degrees. The participant are given one hour to empty as many cavities as possible. They are encouraged to track the needle with ultrasound while in the cube. The transfer test is performed on a CVS mannikin. The GE HealthCare LOGIQTM e Ultrasound is used with a C1-5 RS probe with or without the GE HealthCare C1-5 non-sterile ultrasound needle guide for both the training session and the transfer tests.
Maximum affordancesOther
The participants are instructed to perform ultrasound guided needle puncture of the cavities using a 20 ml syringe and a 15 cm, 18 Gauge biopsy needle. When all the three cavities are emptied the participant receive a new cube with refilled balloons. The new cube is equivalent to the old apart from being rotated 180 degrees. The participant are given one hour to empty as many cavities as possible. They are encouraged to track the needle with ultrasound while in the cube. The transfer test is performed on a CVS mannikin. The GE HealthCare LOGIQTM e Ultrasound is used with a C1-5 RS probe with or without the GE HealthCare C1-5 non-sterile ultrasound needle guide for both the training session and the transfer tests.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Contextual variation | Experimental | The contextual variation group alternate between six affordance conditions where the surface of the model i either half covered combined with no guide, a partial guide or a complete guide. Receives: Other: Contextual variation |
| Maximum affordances | Experimental | The maximum affordances group has half the surface model covered and a complete guide throughout the session. Receives: Other: Maximum affordances |
| Minimum affordances | No intervention | The control group has the whole surface uncovered and no guide throughout the session. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Transfertest score
Exåpert based performances scores using a 5 point likert scale rating 4 items. Higher scores indicate better performance.
Measured: 4*7 min (4 tests) 7-10 days after intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
Training
Quantitative analysis of use of movements (many movements indicate expert performance), number of emptied ballons (higher number indicates better perfomance), incisions/ballon (lower number indicates better performance)
Measured: 60 min (training session)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Apr 2023
- Study start17 Mar 2021
- Primary completion7 Oct 2021
- Study completion7 Oct 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Medical EducationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 110 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Vilma Johnsson, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
- Investigators
- Martin G Tolsgaard, Professor, Study chair, Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletVilma L Johnsson, M.D., Principal investigator, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05834374
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H-19039518
- Status last verified
- Apr 2023
- First submitted
- 3 Apr 2023
- Last updated
- 28 Apr 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Data can be shared upon request. However, raw data includes non-anonymized video records that are incompatible with sharing.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Apr 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Training for Transfer by Contextual Variation: A Randomized Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05834374
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- H-19039518
- Conditions
- Medical Education
- Keywords
- Medical education, Affordances, Contextual variation, Invasisve ultrasound skills
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 110 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Copenhagen University Hospital, RigshospitaletUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Oct 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Oct 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this randomized study is to investigate the effect of introducing contextual variation on transfer when learning a technical skill in a group of medical students. The main questions it aims to answer is: If context variation of specific affordance conditions enhance the learner's ability to transfer out? Participants will practice performing an invasive ultrasound guided procedure either on a fantom with maximum affordances or with contextual variation. Researchers will compare the maximum affordances group and the contextual variation group to see if its effects compared to the control group with minimal affordances.
Detailed description
Participants:
Participants are medical student from the University of Copenhagen. They are recruited by announcements on student fora on Facebook.
Randomization:
The participants are randomized to the intervention group contextual variation, the intervention group maximum affordances or control group minimum affordances in an 1:1:1 allocation ratio. In addition, the order of the four transfer tests (a, b, c and d) is randomly selected for each participant. The randomization was conducted by an independent research assistant at CAMES. Random permuted blocks are generated online for both the intervention and the transfer test.
Equiptment:
The training session is conducted on a ballistic gel cube. Three cavities are excavated corresponding to the points of a triangle at the bottom of the cube. Each cavity include a 5" latex balloon filled with 10ml water. The ballistic gel is coloured with graphite thus, the cavities can only be visualized by ultrasound. The participants are instructed to perform ultrasound guided needle puncture of the cavities using a 20 ml syringe and a 15 cm, 18 Gauge biopsy needle. When all the three cavities are emptied the participant receive a new cube with refilled balloons. The new cube is equivalent to the old apart from being rotated 180 degrees. The participant are given one hour to empty as many cavities as possible. They are encouraged to track the needle with ultrasound while in the cube. The transfer test is performed on a CVS mannikin. The GE HealthCare LOGIQTM e Ultrasound is used with a C1-5 RS probe with or without the GE HealthCare C1-5 non-sterile ultrasound needle guide for both the training session and the transfer tests.
Intervention:
In the first learning session the participants are provided with an ultrasound probe and a needle and instructed to detect and aim at a fixed target in a cube made of ballistic gel. The contextual variation group alternate between six affordance conditions where the surface of the model i either half covered combined with no guide, a partial guide or a complete guide. The maximum affordances group has half the surface model covered and a complete guide throughout the session. The control group has the whole surface uncovered and no guide throughout the session. The participants will have 60 minutes to complete the training.
Transfer test:
The groups are re-invited seven days after completed training for a transfer test. The transfer test include four cases (a, b, c, d) where the overall aim is to perform a CVS procedure on a CVS mannikin. In case a and b, the participant has the affordances of a guide on the ultrasound probe and the screen. In case c and d, there is a lack of affordances by not using a guide on the probe or screen. The placental position is anterior in case a and c, and posterior in case b and d. The transfer test measures both the transfer out, i.e. applying a skill learned in one context to a new context, and transfer in, how the learner learns with the acquired skills in the new context. The order of the transfer tests is randomized at inclusion. The participants receive a brief introduction to the chorionic villus sampling (CVS) procedure ahead of the transfer test by watching a video where the procedure is performed in a clinical setting.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Contextual variation | Experimental | Other: Contextual variationThe contextual variation group alternate between six affordance conditions where the surface of the model i either half covered combined with no guide, a partial guide or a complete guide. |
| Maximum affordances | Experimental | Other: Maximum affordancesThe maximum affordances group has half the surface model covered and a complete guide throughout the session. |
| Minimum affordances | No intervention | –The control group has the whole surface uncovered and no guide throughout the session. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Passed a general anatomy exam
- Proficiency in Danish
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Previous ultrasound experience except mandatory training as part of the medical curriculum
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Contextual variationAlso: Maximum affordancesThe participants are instructed to perform ultrasound guided needle puncture of the cavities using a 20 ml syringe and a 15 cm, 18 Gauge biopsy needle. When all the three cavities are emptied the participant receive a new cube with refilled balloons. The new cube is equivalent to the old apart from being rotated 180 degrees. The participant are given one hour to empty as many cavities as possible. They are encouraged to track the needle with ultrasound while in the cube. The transfer test is performed on a CVS mannikin. The GE HealthCare LOGIQTM e Ultrasound is used with a C1-5 RS probe with or without the GE HealthCare C1-5 non-sterile ultrasound needle guide for both the training session and the transfer tests. | Other | Contextual variation |
| Maximum affordancesThe participants are instructed to perform ultrasound guided needle puncture of the cavities using a 20 ml syringe and a 15 cm, 18 Gauge biopsy needle. When all the three cavities are emptied the participant receive a new cube with refilled balloons. The new cube is equivalent to the old apart from being rotated 180 degrees. The participant are given one hour to empty as many cavities as possible. They are encouraged to track the needle with ultrasound while in the cube. The transfer test is performed on a CVS mannikin. The GE HealthCare LOGIQTM e Ultrasound is used with a C1-5 RS probe with or without the GE HealthCare C1-5 non-sterile ultrasound needle guide for both the training session and the transfer tests. | Other | Maximum affordances |
Primary outcome
Transfertest score
Time frame: 4*7 min (4 tests) 7-10 days after intervention
Exåpert based performances scores using a 5 point likert scale rating 4 items. Higher scores indicate better performance.
1 secondary outcome
Training
Time frame: 60 min (training session)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Apr 2023.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Data can be shared upon request. However, raw data includes non-anonymized video records that are incompatible with sharing.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Martin G Tolsgaard, Professor study chair
Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
Vilma L Johnsson, M.D. principal investigator
Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Contextual variation and Maximum affordances in people with Medical Education, run by Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet at 1 site in Denmark.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Apr 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Transfertest score (time frame: 4*7 min (4 tests) 7-10 days after intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Apr 2023.