# Simulation-Based Research to Enhance Performance of Radiation Therapist

> **NIH AHRQ R18** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $257,794

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Errors in radiation therapy (RT) are estimated to occur in up to ≈ 5% of the > ≈600,000 patients
receiving RT per year in the US; with serious/lethal events occurring ≈ 1 of 1,000-10,000
patents. The specific aim of this proposal is to develop and assess the impact of and
generalized simulation based training and neurofeedback intervention on radiation therapists
(RTTs) mental workload, situation awareness and performance. Mental workload will be
assessed via NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Situation Awareness will be assessed using
Situation Awareness Rating Technique (SART) and situation awareness global assessment
technique (SAGAT). Performance will be assessed using procedural compliance (including
detection of embedded errors) and time-to-complete the task. Subjects, randomized to +/-
simulation-based training, and +/- neurofeedback, will have pre- and post-intervention
assessments of mental workload, situation awareness, and performance. Using a 2 x
2 balanced randomization design, we will use ANOVA to analyze the results.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9857587
- **Project number:** 5R18HS025597-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Lukasz Mazur
- **Activity code:** R18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AHRQ
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $257,794
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9857587

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9857587, Simulation-Based Research to Enhance Performance of Radiation Therapist (5R18HS025597-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9857587. Licensed CC0.

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