Mental Imagery and Learning Surgical Procedures

Researchers at Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center studied the the effects of varying the amount of physical practice and mental imagery rehearsal on learning basic surgical procedures. Using a sample of 65 second-year medical students, 3 randomized groups received either: (1) 3 sessions of physical practice on suturing a pig's foot; (2) 2 sessions of physical practice and 1 session of mental imagery rehearsal; or (3) 1 session of physical practice and 2 sessions of imagery rehearsal. All participants then performed a surgery on a live rabbit in the operating theater of a veterinary college under approved conditions. Analysis of variance was applied to pre- and post-treatment ratings of surgical performance.

Results showed that physical practice followed by mental imagery rehearsal was statistically equal to additional physical practice, and the investigators conclude that initial physical practice followed by mental imagery rehearsal may be a cost-effective method of training medical students in learning basic surgical skills.

Citation: Sanders CW, Sadoski M, Bramson R, Wiprud R, Van Walsum K. Comparing the effects of physical practice and mental imagery rehearsal on learning basic surgical skills by medical students. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2004 Nov; 191 (5): pages 1811-4. sanders@medicine.tamu.edu .