Evaluating the impact of “Anatomy Cluedo” on cognitive learning and game mechanics: A pilot gamification study in cranial nerve anatomy

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the gamified learning tool "Anatomy Cluedo" on cognitive learning gain and engagement in cranial nerve anatomy among medical students. Methodology: The quantitative research study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore. In this study 40 students were divided into two groups: the experimental group engaged with "Anatomy Cluedo," while the control group participated in problem-based learning (PBL). Pre-test and post-test assessments, along with engagement metrics measured by the Flow Short Scale (FSS), were analyzed. Results: The results showed significantly higher cognitive gains in the experimental Group-A (p < 0.001), and strong positive correlations between engagement metrics and learning outcomes (r = 0.78, p < 0.01). Key game elements, such as mechanics, feedback and storytelling, were identified as critical contributors to cognitive learning gains. Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of gamified tools in enhancing engagement and knowledge retention, providing a foundation for further integration of gamification into medical education curricula.