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Visual-spatial ability and interpretation of three-dimensional information in radiographs

¹ Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; ² Skill Acquisition Lab, Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

*Correspondence to: Tore Nilsson, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå SE-901 87, Sweden; Email: tore.nilsson{at}odont.umu.se

Received 2 November 2005; revised 23 February 2006; accepted 22 March 2006

Objectives: To investigate whether skill in the interpretation of three-dimensional (3D) information in radiographs utilizing the parallax phenomenon is associated with visual-spatial ability and whether development of this skill is related to visual-spatial ability.

Methods: Eighty-six individuals with a median age of 25 years participated in the study. It was organized into three parts: (1) assessment before training, (2) training in object depth localization utilizing parallax and (3) assessment after training. Before training, visual-spatial ability was assessed with a mental rotation test, MRT-A; skill in interpreting 3D information was assessed with two specifically designed proficiency tests: a radiography test, which assessed the ability to interpret 3D information in radiographs utilizing motion parallax and a principle test which assessed understanding of the principles of motion parallax. After training, skill in interpreting 3D information was reassessed. Improvement was defined as the difference between test scores after training and before training. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the effect of student and training characteristics on proficiency test results and improvement.

Results: Radiography test results after training and improvement of radiography test results were significantly associated with MRT-A scores (P<0.001 and P=0.020, respectively). Principle test results were high before training and did not improve after training. The test results were associated with MRT-A both before (P=0.009) and after training (P=0.003).

Conclusions: Understanding of the parallax phenomenon is associated with visual-spatial ability. Development of the skill to interpret 3D information in radiographs utilizing parallax is facilitated for individuals with high visual-spatial ability.

Keywords: space perception; radiography; regression analysis