Wu Zhi-Yue, Peng Su-Yuan, Zhu Yan, Zhou Liang
Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
National Institute of Health Data Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Chin Med Sci J. 2025 Mar 31;40(1):57-67. doi: 10.24920/004462.
The study of medicine formulas is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), yet traditional learning methods often lack interactivity and contextual understanding, making it challenging for beginners to grasp the intricate composition rules of formulas. To address this gap, we introduce Formula-S, a situated visualization method for TCM formula learning in augmented reality (AR) and evaluate its performance. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Formula-S in enhancing TCM formula learning for beginners by comparing it with traditional text-based formula learning and web-based visualization.
Formula-S is an interactive AR tool designed for TCM formula learning, featuring three modes (3D, Web, and Table). The dataset included TCM formulas and herb properties extracted from authoritative references, including textbook and the SymMap database. In Formula-S, the hierarchical visualization of the formulas as herbal medicine compositions, is linked to the multidimensional herb attribute visualization and embedded in the real world, where real herb samples are presented. To evaluate its effectiveness, a controlled study (=30) was conducted.Participants who had no formal TCM knowledge were tasked with herbal medicine identification, formula composition, and recognition. In the study, participants interacted with the AR tool through HoloLens 2. Data were collected on both task performance (accuracy and response time) and user experience, with a focus on task efficiency, accuracy, and user preference across the different learning modes. The situated visualization method of Formula-S had comparable accuracy to other methods but shorter response time for herbal formula learning tasks. Regarding user experience, our new approach demonstrated the highest system usability and lowest task load, effectively reducing cognitive load and allowing users to complete tasks with greater ease and efficiency. Participants reported that Formula-S enhanced their learning experience through its intuitive interface and immersive AR environment, suggesting this approach offers usability advantages for TCM education.
The situated visualization method in Formula-S offers more efficient and accurate searching capabilities compared to traditional and web-based methods. Additionally, it provides superior contextual understanding of TCM formulas, making it a promising new solution for TCM learning.
方剂研究是中医的核心组成部分，但传统的学习方法往往缺乏互动性和情境理解，这使得初学者难以掌握方剂复杂的组成规则。为了填补这一空白，我们引入了Formula-S，一种用于在增强现实（AR）中学习中医方剂的情境可视化方法，并评估其性能。本研究旨在通过将Formula-S与传统的基于文本的方剂学习和基于网络的可视化方法进行比较，评估其对初学者增强中医方剂学习的有效性。
Formula-S是一款专为中医方剂学习设计的交互式AR工具，具有三种模式（3D、网络和表格）。数据集包括从权威参考文献（包括教科书和SymMap数据库）中提取的中医方剂和草药属性。在Formula-S中，方剂作为草药组合物的分层可视化与多维草药属性可视化相链接，并嵌入到现实世界中，在那里展示真实的草药样本。为了评估其有效性，进行了一项对照研究（n = 30）。没有正规中医知识的参与者被要求进行草药识别、方剂组成和辨认。在研究中，参与者通过HoloLens 2与AR工具进行交互。收集了任务表现（准确性和反应时间）和用户体验方面的数据，重点关注不同学习模式下的任务效率、准确性和用户偏好。Formula-S的情境可视化方法在草药方剂学习任务中的准确性与其他方法相当，但反应时间更短。在用户体验方面，我们的新方法表现出最高的系统可用性和最低的任务负荷，有效地减轻了认知负荷，使用户能够更轻松、高效地完成任务。参与者报告说，Formula-S通过其直观的界面和沉浸式的AR环境增强了他们的学习体验，表明这种方法在中医教育中具有可用性优势。
与传统方法和基于网络的方法相比，Formula-S中的情境可视化方法提供了更高效、准确的搜索功能。此外，它对方剂提供了更好的情境理解，使其成为中医学习的一个有前途的新解决方案。
