Virtual Booth

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) remains one of the most common congenital conditions in Malaysia, often associated with long-term medical, developmental and psychosocial challenges. Limited health literacy, limited access to specialists and inadequate educational resources, especially in underserved areas, contribute to poor understanding and adherence to treatment regimens among patients and caregivers. This innovation introduces AR-KLEF, a mobile Augmented Reality (AR) application designed to increase awareness and understanding of the cleft treatment process through an interactive and immersive learning experience.

AR-KLEF integrates dynamic 3D anatomical models, nutritional simulations and educational multimedia content to visualize complex medical information in a user-friendly manner. Developed using Unity3D and Vuforia SDK, the application allows users to interact with cleft anatomy and treatment stages in a real-world environment. The effectiveness of AR-KLEF was assessed using a quasi-experimental single-group post-test design involving 172 participants, including parents, caregivers and community members.

Findings showed high usability and acceptance, with an average usability score of 4.3 out of 5 and over 90% of users reporting ease of use and clarity of content. Further learning analysis revealed strong knowledge acquisition, with an average accuracy score of 85%, particularly in modules that used interactive 3D visualizations. Compared to conventional educational methods, AR-KLEF demonstrated higher engagement and improved understanding of the treatment pathway.

This innovation highlights the potential of AR technology as an inclusive, scalable and effective tool for health education, particularly in low-resource settings. By empowering patients and caregivers with accessible knowledge, AR-KLEF contributes to better treatment awareness and supports broader healthcare goals, including increasing health literacy and reducing inequalities.

Keywords: Augmented Reality, AR-KLEF, Cleft Lip and/or Palate, Health Education, Awareness, Treatment Compliance