Effect of the Use of Haptic Gloves on the Acquisition of Psychomotor Skills in Students

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of using Hi5 Noitom 2.0 haptic gloves in an immersive virtual reality environment on the development of psychomotor skills in medical students. A quantitative approach was adopted with a quasi-experimental design involving a control and an experimental group, each composed of 25 students (total n = 50). The intervention, applied to the experimental group, consisted of three practical sessions of 90 minutes over two weeks, during which participants performed simulated medical procedures such as suturing, forceps manipulation, and palpation of anatomical structures in a virtual environment. Three instruments were used for data collection: a psychomotor skills assessment rubric, a Likert-scale self-assessment questionnaire, and a structured observation checklist completed by experts. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) in all evaluated dimensions: precision, visuo-motor coordination, technical sequencing, execution time, safety, and feedback, both in the rubric and expert observations. Additionally, the experimental group reported a higher perception of practical improvement compared to the control group. In conclusion, the incorporation of immersive technologies with haptic feedback represents an effective pedagogical strategy for strengthening psychomotor competencies in medical training, enabling more realistic and safer practical experiences. This research contributes to the design of advanced educational simulation environments, with the potential to be replicated in other clinical and training contexts.