Background: Simulation-based training improves the manual skills of beginners in interventional cardiology. It has been speculated that this improvement in performance is caused by a reduction of the individual stress response. To validate this hypothesis changes in the stress response after simulation and theoretical training were compared.

Methods: The study was performed in 18 trainees in interventional cardiology. The participants received either simulation-based (group S) or theoretical training (group K). Pre- and post-training the individual stress level was determined during a percutaneous coronary intervention on a pulsatile heart model. Heart rate was recorded continuously, and the change of cortisol and the PANAS scale were measured. PANAS detects the positive and negative affect.

Results: Comparing both groups, there were no significant differences in the physiologic arousal (cortisol and heart rate). The negative affect of PANAS decreased in group S (-2.0 ± 4.3) and increased in group K (+3.3 ± 5.4) (p=0.03).

Conclusion: Our study revealed that the negative PANAS, which represents the excessive stress response of trainees in interventional cardiology, can be reduced by simulation-based training.