Funded by: Vascular Surgery Department.
PI: Dr. Elie Girsowicz
Co-investigators: Dr. Francisco Reyna-Sepulveda, MSc Candidate, Dr. Ahmed Naiem, Vascular Surgery Resident, Dr. Alexander Thiel
Collaborator: Dr. Gerald M. Fried
Partners: Vascular Surgery Department, Neurology Department, Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning (SCSIL) of Â鶹AV
Project Description:
Surgical residency training is challenging because it involves acquisition of both theoretical knowledge and complex technical surgical skills. In addition to the current COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions in residents’ working hours are limiting their operative exposure. This affects their ability to attain milestones and competencies. Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation modality where low amplitude electrical current is applied through the scalp. It has been shown to increase performance in strength, fine motor skills and coordination. It could be an interesting adjunct to surgical training in order to enhance skills acquisition.
Our objective is to evaluate the effect of TDCS on vascular surgery skills acquisition and retention in simulation training. We will perform a randomized controlled pilot study with 60 medical student participants without any previous surgical experience. Students will be randomized into one of three groups: TCDS, sham-TCDS and a control group. We expect to observe an improvement in the time, accuracy and quality of the suturing exercise on the TDCS group compared to the sham-TDCS and control groups.
