Table 5.
Parameters adjusted to each part-task. Mean score ± SEM.
| Adjustment | Expert | Intermediate | Novice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knob control | |||
| Transfer 10 objects between compartments | 135±16 | 40 ± 15 | 0 |
| Partitioned into 4 compartments; scope insertion depth made constant | |||
| Object materials tested; lubricious materials selected to increase difficulty | 171±81 | 80 ±20 | 35±5 |
| Locking mechanism for scope fixation finalized | 133± 63 | 75 ±5 | 20±6 |
| Torque | |||
| 1 ring to be transferred sequentially between posts | 139± 53 | 90 ±10 | 35±15 |
| 5 rings to be transferred from central post on floor to 5 posts on walls | |||
| Posts tilted upward to ease ring placement; height and location of central post adjusted | 172±28 | 96 ±28 | 43±7 |
| Object materials tested; rubbery rings selected | 141±53 | 80 ±27 | 45±5 |
| Wall posts moved and staggered to force torque movement | |||
| Retroflexion | |||
| 10 objects to be transferred from the front to the back wall | 30 ± 5 | – | 0 |
| 10 objects to be transferred from the back to the front wall | 128±13 | 35 ±15 | 25±5 |
| Length adjusted; posts tilted upward to prevent objects from falling; distance between posts adjusted to optimize object placement and full retroflexion | |||
| Object materials tested; gummy material selected | |||
| Entrance slot raised; front wall posts adjusted to allow full retroflexion | 157± 27 | 66 ±10 | 25±5 |
| Polypectomy | |||
| 10 round objects to be snared and detached from different walls | 229±34 | 50 ±20 | 57±9 |
| Moved some polyps to corners to add challenge | 215± 9 | 133 ± 53 | 40±15 |
| Switched from round to flat objects to encourage snaring polyp base | |||
| Magnet, Velcro, rubber corks, earring backs tested; electronic polyps selected | 253± 16 | 124± 44 | 35±5 |
| Navigation1 | |||
| 2 different paths to be navigated, with target task at the end | – | 30 ±5 | 60±8 |
| 5 paths; rearranged paths to equalize difficulty | 163 ± 45 | 118 ± 58 | 80 |
| Navigation tubes lined with soft pad and film to protect scope and reduce resistance | |||
| Target tasks tested: bell-ringing, tip deflection; foreign body retrieval selected | |||
| Alpha loop reduction task implemented prior to the navigation task | 141±30 | 60 ±12 | 40±12 |
| Loop reduction1 | |||
| Tester required to scope through a preformed loop, then reduce | 141±30 | 60 ±12 | 40±12 |
| Pipe materials tested: PVC, flexible pipe, carved polystyrene | |||
| Loop shape adjusted to grasp scope; transparent roof implemented to support scope during loop reduction; alpha loop reduction moved before navigation |
PVC, poly(vinyl chloride)
1
Loop reduction and navigation tasks were combined into a single part-task, reported as duplicate test scores.