Comparison of student radiographers abilities to estimate distance, accurately collimate the x-ray beam and their knowledge of equipment in a real x-ray room after training with a screen based computer simulator

ISRCTN	ISRCTN81149048
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN81149048
Protocol serial number	128/08
Sponsor	Teesside University (UK)
Funder	Teesside University (UK)

Submission date: 28/07/2009
Registration date: 26/10/2009
Last edited: 21/07/2016

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Other

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Prof Chris Colbourn
Scientific

School of Health and Social Care
Teesside University
Borough Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom

Phone	+44 1642 384100 ext. 2953
Email	Chris.Colbourn@tees.ac.uk

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Prospective single centre single blinded randomised within-subject repeated measures experimental trial
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title	Prospective monocentric blinded randomised controlled trial of a tutor-facilitated screen-based computer simulated virtual radiographic environment compared with tutor-supported groupwork in a radiography skills lab
Study acronym	SIMXRAY
Study objectives	Training in a screen based computer simulated virtual radiographic environment improves participants distance estimation, collimation accuracy and equipment knowledge as measured in a real x-ray room.
Ethics approval(s)	Teesside University School of Health and Social Care Research Governance and Ethics Committee, 29/07/2008, ref: 128/08
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Radiography skills training
Intervention	The intervention group will attend eight hours of screen-based computer simulation workshops (n = 20) facilitated by a tutor. There will be sessions, split into three 45-minute labs, once a week for three weeks (the simuation is a commercially available product, ProjectionVR 3.3, offered by Shaderware Ltd, UK). The control group will participate in nine hours of small group skills labs in a real radiography room (n = 6) facilitated by a tutor. There will be an initial one hour introduction, followed by two four hour labs; session frequency varies due to individual small group timetables. All three sessions will be completed within four weeks. During this trial period, both groups will attend all other lectures on the course as normal, but this will not include any further time in the radiography room or in clinical placement.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	1. Ability to name five parts of real radiography equipment as indicated by the assessor 2. Skill in using equipment in a real radiography room, measured by time taken to complete two standardised tasks 3. Ability to estimate source to image distance and collimate to specific standard sizes, observed by measuring set areas and distances against the target areas and distances These observations will be repeated before and after the interventions. Participants will be given the opportunity to provide a written comment on both methods of learning at the end of the trial, this will not exceed 200 words.
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	No secondary outcome measures
Completion date	11/11/2010

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	40
Key inclusion criteria	Two cohorts (approximately 40 students each) enrolled on a pre-registration diagnostic radiography course will be offered the chance to volunteer. All aged 18 - 50 years, both male and female.
Key exclusion criteria	1. No previous experience in a radiographic environment 2. Capable of giving informed consent
Date of first enrolment	22/09/2009
Date of final enrolment	11/11/2010

Locations

Countries of recruitment

United Kingdom
England

Study participating centre

Teesside University

Borough Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	Yes
IPD sharing plan summary	Available on request
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes

Editorial Notes

18/07/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.