Educational ProblemsNCT07241026
Mental Rotation, 3D Perception, and Practical Skill Development in Physiotherapy Students
A study testing Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program in people with Educational Problems, run by Abant Izzet Baysal University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study investigates the role of mental rotation and 3D perception abilities in shaping the practical skill performance of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. By exploring the relationship between spatial cognitive abilities and hands-on competencies, the research aims to provide insights that may improve… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Educational Problems
- What is being tested?
- Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 118 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2020to 30 Sep 2025
- 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 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Who cannot join
- History of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting upper-limb function or spatial cognition
- Severe visual impairments that cannot be corrected
- History of epilepsy, severe motion sickness, or vestibular disorders
- Participation in other spatial-cognition or VR-based training programs within the last 6 months
- Use of medications affecting cognitive function or balance
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Bolu, 14300
About this study
Official title: The Impact of Mental Rotation and 3D Perception Abilities on the Development of Practical Skills in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Students
This study investigates the role of mental rotation and 3D perception abilities in shaping the practical skill performance of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. By exploring the relationship between spatial cognitive abilities and hands-on competencies, the research aims to provide insights that may improve educational strategies and clinical training outcomes.
Read the detailed description
Practical skills are fundamental to physiotherapy and rehabilitation education, requiring students to accurately interpret anatomical structures, movement patterns, and therapeutic techniques in three-dimensional space. Cognitive abilities such as mental rotation and 3D perception are considered essential in processing spatial information and transferring theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. However, limited research has explored how these spatial abilities influence the acquisition and execution of practical competencies in physiotherapy training.
This study aims to assess the relationship between mental rotation ability, 3D spatial perception, and the practical performance of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. Standardized spatial ability tests will be used alongside practical skill assessments to identify correlations between cognitive factors and clinical task execution. The findings are expected to contribute to curriculum design by highlighting the importance of integrating spatial training modules and potentially guiding student selection or tailored support strategies.
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of mental rotation and 3D perception abilities on the development and performance of practical skills in physiotherapy and rehabilitation students, with the goal of enhancing educational methods and optimizing clinical training outcomes.
- Conditions
- Educational Problems
- Being tested
- Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program, Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program
- Keywords
- Mental Rotation, Physiotherapy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training ProgramOther
Participants will undergo a 60-minute training session, consisting of immersive 3D/VR practice, computerized mental rotation tasks, and hands-on spatial exercises. Each session will begin with a 20-minute VR-based activity in which students interact with anatomical models and 3D objects, rotating and orienting them to match different views and cross-sections. This will be followed by a 20-minute computerized module, where participants complete adaptive mental rotation tasks of varying angular disparity, including both object-based and body-posture items. The final 15-20 minutes will include practical spatial exercises, such as assembling 3D anatomical puzzles, reach-and-place tasks, and proprioceptive orientation drills.Training will be delivered 3 days per week for 8 weeks.
Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training ProgramOther
Participants will undergo a 60-minute training session, consisting of non-spatial computerized tasks, general cognitive exercises, and low-demand hands-on activities. Each session will begin with a 20-minute computer-based activity presenting neutral content, such as quizzes, word puzzles, or simple problem-solving tasks, without requiring 3D manipulation or mental rotation. This will be followed by a 20-minute module of general cognitive tasks, including memory or attention exercises unrelated to spatial orientation. The final 15-20 minutes will include low-intensity hands-on activities, such as organizing materials or following simple step-by-step instructions, designed to match the duration and engagement of the intervention arm without targeting spatial cognition. Training will be delivered 3 days per week for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation | Experimental | Participants will receive a structured mental rotation and 3D spatial cognition training program, consisting of immersive virtual reality (VR) practice, computerized rotation tasks, and hands-on spatial exercises Receives: Other: Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program |
| Sham 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation | Sham comparator | Participants will receive a sham mental rotation and 3D spatial cognition program, consisting of non-spatial computerized tasks and general educational activities without targeted spatial training Receives: Other: Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
To evaluate the overall academic performance of participants, Grade Point Average (GPA) will be collected from university records. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale, with 0.0 representing failing performance and 4.0 representing excellent academic achievement. Higher scores indicate better academic performance.
Measured: Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months
Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations (PSVT-R)
To assess participants' spatial visualization and mental rotation abilities, the PSVT-R will be administered. The test comprises 30 multiple-choice items, each with a single correct answer, scored 1 for correct and 0 for incorrect responses. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores reflecting stronger spatial visualization skills.
Measured: Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months
Secondary outcomes (7)
Corsi Block-Tapping Test
Involves mimicking a sequence of up to nine spatially separated blocks tapped by the examiner. The length of the longest sequence correctly recalled is the score. Higher scores indicates better spatial abilities
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
Test Anxiety Inventory
To examine whether there is a change in the level of anxiety experienced by students during the exam, a 5-question short version of Test Anxiety Inventory will be used. The test includes sections related to ease, comfort associated with learning, and alignment of exam questions with the course.
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
Enjoyment and Recommendation
Participants will fill out a feedback questionnaire regarding the learning instruments using visual analogue scale (0-100mm).
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
Test Taking Motivation Questionnaire
To assess the level of motivation students exhibit during examinations, the Test Taking Motivation Questionnaire (TTMQ) will be administered. The questionnaire includes items evaluating students' effort, engagement, persistence, and goal orientation during test situations. Each item is rated on a Likert scale, and total scores generally range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater motivation and engagement in test-taking activities.
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
Mental Rotation Test
To evaluate the ability to mentally rotate three-dimensional objects, the Mental Rotation Test will be used. The test includes 24 items, each with two correct answers. Each correct response is awarded 1 point, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate greater proficiency in mental rotation tasks.
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
Puzzle Assembly
Participants were asked to complete 3d printed puzzle of bone fractures and completion time was tracked.
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
CarMen-Q
Participants were asked to complete the CARMEN-Q (Cognitive Load, Motivation, and Emotion Questionnaire) to evaluate their perceived cognitive load and related psychological responses. The scale includes four subscales: Intrinsic Load, Extraneous Load, Germane Load, and Affective-Motivational Factors (Motivation, Emotion, and Self-Efficacy). Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Higher scores on the cognitive load subscales reflect greater perceived mental effort, while higher scores on motivation, emotion, and self-efficacy indicate more positive learner engagement and affective response.
Measured: Baseline and eight weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Nov 2025
- Study start1 Sep 2020
- Primary completion30 Jul 2025
- Study completion30 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Educational ProblemsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Prospective parallel group with double-blinded design
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 118 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Abant Izzet Baysal University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ramazan KURUL, Abant Izzet Baysal University
- Investigators
- ramazan kurul, phd, Principal investigator, Abant Izzet Baysal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07241026
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AIBU-FTR-RK-13
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The dataset can be obtained from the principal investigator upon any reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Impact of Mental Rotation and 3D Perception Abilities on the Development of Practical Skills in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07241026
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AIBU-FTR-RK-13
- Conditions
- Educational Problems
- Keywords
- Mental Rotation, Physiotherapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 118 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Abant Izzet Baysal UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Nov 2025 (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.
This study investigates the role of mental rotation and 3D perception abilities in shaping the practical skill performance of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. By exploring the relationship between spatial cognitive abilities and hands-on competencies, the research aims to provide insights that may improve educational strategies and clinical training outcomes.
Detailed description
Practical skills are fundamental to physiotherapy and rehabilitation education, requiring students to accurately interpret anatomical structures, movement patterns, and therapeutic techniques in three-dimensional space. Cognitive abilities such as mental rotation and 3D perception are considered essential in processing spatial information and transferring theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. However, limited research has explored how these spatial abilities influence the acquisition and execution of practical competencies in physiotherapy training.
This study aims to assess the relationship between mental rotation ability, 3D spatial perception, and the practical performance of physiotherapy and rehabilitation students. Standardized spatial ability tests will be used alongside practical skill assessments to identify correlations between cognitive factors and clinical task execution. The findings are expected to contribute to curriculum design by highlighting the importance of integrating spatial training modules and potentially guiding student selection or tailored support strategies.
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of mental rotation and 3D perception abilities on the development and performance of practical skills in physiotherapy and rehabilitation students, with the goal of enhancing educational methods and optimizing clinical training outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Prospective parallel group with double-blinded design
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation | Experimental | Other: Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training ProgramParticipants will receive a structured mental rotation and 3D spatial cognition training program, consisting of immersive virtual reality (VR) practice, computerized rotation tasks, and hands-on spatial exercises |
| Sham 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation | Sham comparator | Other: Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training ProgramParticipants will receive a sham mental rotation and 3D spatial cognition program, consisting of non-spatial computerized tasks and general educational activities without targeted spatial training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting upper-limb function or spatial cognition
- Severe visual impairments that cannot be corrected
- History of epilepsy, severe motion sickness, or vestibular disorders
- Participation in other spatial-cognition or VR-based training programs within the last 6 months
- Use of medications affecting cognitive function or balance
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training ProgramParticipants will undergo a 60-minute training session, consisting of immersive 3D/VR practice, computerized mental rotation tasks, and hands-on spatial exercises. Each session will begin with a 20-minute VR-based activity in which students interact with anatomical models and 3D objects, rotating and orienting them to match different views and cross-sections. This will be followed by a 20-minute computerized module, where participants complete adaptive mental rotation tasks of varying angular disparity, including both object-based and body-posture items. The final 15-20 minutes will include practical spatial exercises, such as assembling 3D anatomical puzzles, reach-and-place tasks, and proprioceptive orientation drills.Training will be delivered 3 days per week for 8 weeks. | Other | 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation |
| Sham Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training ProgramParticipants will undergo a 60-minute training session, consisting of non-spatial computerized tasks, general cognitive exercises, and low-demand hands-on activities. Each session will begin with a 20-minute computer-based activity presenting neutral content, such as quizzes, word puzzles, or simple problem-solving tasks, without requiring 3D manipulation or mental rotation. This will be followed by a 20-minute module of general cognitive tasks, including memory or attention exercises unrelated to spatial orientation. The final 15-20 minutes will include low-intensity hands-on activities, such as organizing materials or following simple step-by-step instructions, designed to match the duration and engagement of the intervention arm without targeting spatial cognition. Training will be delivered 3 days per week for 8 weeks. | Other | Sham 3D spatial cognition training and mental rotation |
Primary outcome
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Time frame: Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months
To evaluate the overall academic performance of participants, Grade Point Average (GPA) will be collected from university records. GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale, with 0.0 representing failing performance and 4.0 representing excellent academic achievement. Higher scores indicate better academic performance.
Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations (PSVT-R)
Time frame: Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months
To assess participants' spatial visualization and mental rotation abilities, the PSVT-R will be administered. The test comprises 30 multiple-choice items, each with a single correct answer, scored 1 for correct and 0 for incorrect responses. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores reflecting stronger spatial visualization skills.
7 secondary outcomes
Corsi Block-Tapping Test
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
Test Anxiety Inventory
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
Enjoyment and Recommendation
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
Test Taking Motivation Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
Mental Rotation Test
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
Puzzle Assembly
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
CarMen-Q
Time frame: Baseline and eight weeks
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 25 Nov 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The dataset can be obtained from the principal investigator upon any reasonable request.
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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.
ramazan kurul, phd principal investigator
Abant Izzet Baysal University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Spatial-Cognitive & 3D-Perception Training Program in people with Educational Problems, run by Abant Izzet Baysal University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 5 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 25 Nov 2025. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
Grade Point Average (GPA) (time frame: Baseline, eight weeks and 48 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 25 Nov 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 28 Oct 2026.