NCT07419984

Gamified Neurology Grand Rounds

Gamification vs. Traditional Teaching in Neurology Grand Rounds: A Randomized Crossover Trial Integrating Cognitive Load Monitoring and Blockchain Incentives

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 240 (estimated)
• Sponsor: West China Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this research study is to learn if a new, game-based way of teaching neurology grand rounds (called "gamified teaching") works better than the traditional lecture-based format for neurology residents. It will also test whether using wristbands that measure stress and attention can help teachers adjust their pace in real time, and whether earning digital achievement badges motivates residents to keep learning. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does gamified teaching help residents remember key information longer (up to 3 months) compared to traditional teaching? Does it improve how efficiently residents make clinical decisions (for example, ordering the right tests without unnecessary extras)? Do teachers who receive real-time feedback from the wristbands deliver sessions that feel less tiring and more engaging to residents? Do residents find the digital badges useful, and do they encourage more self-study? Researchers will compare the gamified teaching method to the traditional lecture method. Each resident will experience both formats at different times (a "crossover" design). An additional small group will only receive the traditional format to help rule out other factors. Participants will: Take part in eight neurology grand rounds sessions over two 4-week periods (four sessions per period) Wear a research wristband during each session to measure their physiological responses (skin activity and heart rate) Complete short quizzes right after each session and again three months later Fill out brief questionnaires about their learning experience and motivation Use a custom interactive platform during the gamified sessions to work in teams, make clinical decisions, and earn digital badges All information collected will be kept confidential, and participants may leave the study at any time without any impact on their residency evaluations.

Conditions

• Education, Medical
• Grand Rounds

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Gamified Neurology Grand Rounds	A web-based interactive teaching platform using team-based clinical simulation, real-time decision feedback, points, leaderboards, and blockchain-minted NFT achievement badges. Four 55-minute sessions delivered over 2 weeks. Cases cover stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, neuroinfectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, neuro-ophthalmology, headache, and spinal cord disorders. Participants work in teams of 3-4, make sequential diagnostic/treatment decisions, and receive immediate feedback. Instructor delivers 15-minute expert debrief after 40 minutes of simulation.
BEHAVIORAL	Traditional Component	Instructor-led PowerPoint lecture covering identical case content as gamified sessions. Linear presentation: history → physical exam → localization → etiology → differential diagnosis → management. Intermittent Q\&A encouraged. No game elements, simulation, points, leaderboards, or blockchain incentives. Four 55-minute sessions delivered over 2 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-01
• Primary completion: 2026-08-30
• Completion: 2026-08-30
• First posted: 2026-02-19
• Last updated: 2026-02-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China