Role of 3D animation in periodontal patient education: a randomized controlled trial

Cleeren G, Quirynen M, Ozcelik O, Teughels W. Role of 3D animation inperiodontal patient education: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Periodontol2014; 41: 38–45. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12170.AbstractAim: This randomized controlled parallel trial investigates the effect of 3Danimation on the increase and recall of knowledge on periodontitis by patientswith periodontitis. The effects of a 3D animation (3D animation group) werecompared with narration and drawing (control group) for periodontal patienteducation.Material and Methods: A total of 68 periodontitis patients were stratified accord-ing to educational level and then randomly allocated to control or 3D animationgroups. All patients received: (1) a pre-test (baseline knowledge), (2) a patienteducation video (3D animation or control video), (3) a post-test (knowledgeimmediately after looking at the video), and (4) a follow-up test (knowledge recallafter 2 weeks). Each test contained 10 multiple-choice questions.Results: There was no significant difference in baseline knowledge. Patientsreceiving the 3D animations had significantly higher scores for both the post-testand the follow-up test, when compared with patients receiving sketch animations.Conclusion: 3D animations are more effective than real-time drawings for peri-odontal patient education in terms of knowledge recall. 3D animations may be apowerful tool for assisting in the information process.