Using Real-Time Lung Visuals to Reduce Mental Strain and Improve Diagnosis Speed

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Real-time Graphical Lung Function Visualization (Digital Twin): This intervention consists of a high-fidelity graphical display that translates raw simulator data into synchronized 3D animations and advanced physiological waveforms. It provides continuous visualization of, Muscle Pressure (Pmus), and the Equation of Motion components (Resistive vs. Elastic pressure) to assist in clinical diagnosis.

Standard Ventilator Waveform Monitoring: This intervention represents the current standard of care in mechanical ventilation monitoring. Clinicians are limited to the pressure-time and flow-time waveforms provided by the mechanical ventilator interface. Diagnostic assessments of lung mechanics (Resistance and Compliance) must be performed using manual ventilator maneuvers, such as inspiratory and expiratory holds.

Study summary

The goal of this clinical simulation study is to learn if a "Digital Twin" graphical lung display reduce the mental workload of clinicians. The study also evaluates if this helps physicians diagnose and manage ventilator-related crises more effectively than standard ventilator screens.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does the Digital Twin display lower the cognitive stress (mental workload) experienced by clinicians during a crisis? Does the Digital Twin display reduce the time it takes for clinicians to identify specific respiratory complications? Does the use of real-time physiological visualization improve the accuracy of clinical decision-making? Researchers will compare the performance of clinicians using a standard ventilator display (the "Black Box" condition) to their performance when provided with an additional synchronized 3D lung and advanced waveform display (the "Digital Twin" condition).

Participants will:

Complete four randomized mechanical ventilation crisis scenarios using a high-fidelity lung simulator (ASL 5000).

Manage scenarios involving high airway resistance, low lung compliance, auto-PEEP, and patient-ventilator asynchrony.

Undergo a 14-day "washout" period between sessions to ensure no memory bias between the control and intervention groups.

Complete a NASA-TLX survey after each scenario to measure their perceived mental, physical, and temporal demand.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Perceived Mental Workload (NASA Task Load Index) — Within 5 minutes following the completion of each 10-minute simulation scenario.
  The total workload score as measured by the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). This validated tool assesses six dimensions: mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, performance, effort, and frustration level. Each dimension is scored on a scale of 0 to 100. The weighted average provides a "Global Workload Score." Higher scores represent a higher perceived cognitive burden.

Trial sites (1)

More Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine trials in China

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