Psychophysiological Indicators of Performance in Computer-Based Simulation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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As simulation is now used in many post-graduate education and assessment domains, the investigators want to learn about how autonomically engaged healthcare providers are with the investigators computer simulation paradigm. The investigators are interested in the relationship between autonomic arousal (as measured by heart rate variability and galvanic skin response), self-report of engagement, and performance in the simulation and cognitive debriefing.

Official Title
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Psychophysiological Indicators of Performance in Computer-Based Simulation

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Low Valence
* Other: High Valence


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthcare provider Right-handed Exclusion Criteria: Has a medical condition associated with cardiac arrhythmia Taking medications (such as antiarrhythmic or beta-blocker) that has an effect on heart rate or autonomic function

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Low Valence<br>Participants in the low valence condition will participate in photo-based simulations. They will see a photo of the patient and hear affectively flattened audio. The script and clinical information remain the same as the high valence condition. | Other: Low Valence<br>* Participants in the low valence condition will participate in two photo-based simulations: first, an orientation to become familiar with the interface, and then a clinical simulation. Afterward, they will complete a written debriefing followed by an verbal debriefing with a study investigator. They will complete all activities while having their heart rate and galvanic skin response monitored using non-invasive methods.<br>|
| Experimental: High Valence<br>Participants in the high valence condition will participate in video-based simulations. They will see a rich multimedia presentation of the clinical encounter, with affectively enhanced audio. The script and clinical information remain the same as the low valence condition. | Other: High Valence<br>* Participants in the low valence condition will participate in two video-based simulations: first, an orientation to become familiar with the interface, and then a clinical simulation. Afterward, they will complete a written debriefing followed by an verbal debriefing with a study investigator. They will complete all activities while having their heart rate and galvanic skin response monitored using non-invasive methods.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engagement with simulation | Participant engagement with simulation will be measured using physiological measures of heart rate variability and galvanic skin response as well as self-report measures during the verbal debriefing. | All data will be collected during the one hour when participants engage in the simulation activities and debriefing. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cognitive performance | Cognitive performance will be assessed based on the choices that participants make during the clinical simulation as well as the details that they retain and express during the written debriefing. | All data will be collected during the one hour when participants engage in the simulation activities and debriefing. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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CME, Simulation, Affective engagement, Cognitive performance