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NeuroVase: A Tangible Mobile Augmented Reality Learning System for Neurovascular Anatomy and Stroke Education

Bahar Jahani, Matsanga Leyila Kaseka, Marta Kersten-Oertel, Yiming Xiao

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, requiring rapid and informed clinical decision-making. A solid spatial understanding of cerebrovascular anatomy and vascular territories in relation to stroke symptoms and severity is critical for timely clinical decision and patient care. However, this knowledge is typically conveyed through static 2D diagrams and printed materials, which can hinder mastery of the complex neurovascular system and their clinical implications. Mobile augmented reality (AR) offers an accessible medium for delivering intuitive 3D anatomical education, yet applications focused on the neurovascular system and stroke remain limited despite the demand. To address this, we propose NeuroVase, a tablet-based mobile AR platform within a structured pedagogical framework that enhances stroke-related neuroanatomy learning by providing an interactive, engaging, and accessible alternative to traditional methods. NeuroVase features a dual-mode setup, using tangible cue cards as standalone study aids while also serving as interactive markers for AR content delivery. A custom learning curriculum focused on cerebrovascular anatomy and stroke supports exploration of vascular territories, stroke syndromes, and arterial occlusions, in the context of annotated 3D anatomical models in NeuroVase. A controlled user study with 40 participants revealed that NeuroVase is an effective and user-friendly AR platform to facilitate complex anatomical and physiological education, compared with traditional learning.

NeuroVase: A Tangible Mobile Augmented Reality Learning System for Neurovascular Anatomy and Stroke Education

Abstract

Stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, requiring rapid and informed clinical decision-making. A solid spatial understanding of cerebrovascular anatomy and vascular territories in relation to stroke symptoms and severity is critical for timely clinical decision and patient care. However, this knowledge is typically conveyed through static 2D diagrams and printed materials, which can hinder mastery of the complex neurovascular system and their clinical implications. Mobile augmented reality (AR) offers an accessible medium for delivering intuitive 3D anatomical education, yet applications focused on the neurovascular system and stroke remain limited despite the demand. To address this, we propose NeuroVase, a tablet-based mobile AR platform within a structured pedagogical framework that enhances stroke-related neuroanatomy learning by providing an interactive, engaging, and accessible alternative to traditional methods. NeuroVase features a dual-mode setup, using tangible cue cards as standalone study aids while also serving as interactive markers for AR content delivery. A custom learning curriculum focused on cerebrovascular anatomy and stroke supports exploration of vascular territories, stroke syndromes, and arterial occlusions, in the context of annotated 3D anatomical models in NeuroVase. A controlled user study with 40 participants revealed that NeuroVase is an effective and user-friendly AR platform to facilitate complex anatomical and physiological education, compared with traditional learning.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 19 sections, 4 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Methods and Materials
  3. Learning material development
  4. Data Processing and Digital Model Construction
  5. Software Implementation
  6. Cue Card Design
  7. User Interaction Paradigms
  8. User Interface Design
  9. User Study Design and System Evaluation
  10. AR-Based Learning Group
  11. Traditional Learning Control Group
  12. Data analysis
  13. Results
  14. Educational outcome assessment
  15. System Usability Scale
  16. ...and 4 more sections

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: Demonstration of AR user interface for NeuroVase. A. AR user interface in action showing different elements of the proposed system; B. The master card for virtual anatomy display and three example trigger cards (front and back) to update the learning content in the AR view for the Lobar Anatomy, Vascular Anatomy, and Vascular Territory modules.
  • Figure 2: General user interface of NeuroVase: A. Demonstration of the landing menu for NeuroVase; B. MRI visualization interface for the Vascular Anatomy Module.
  • Figure 3: Example learning content from the NeuroVase interface before and after activation by a cue card, for the Lobar Anatomy module (A), Arterial Anatomy module (B), and Vascular Territory module (C).
  • Figure 4: Boxplots of Customized UX Questionnaire Scores for the AR and Control Groups.