Mind Over Matter

Did you know that over the last decade researchers have shown that practicing activities in your mind can translate to performing those activities easier and better than without the mental practice.


This type of practice has been done for several years by athletes and musicians. It has been proven to enhance an individuals ability to perform high level, difficult tasks. The athletes and musicians use this technique after they have been working on a difficult level of performance enhancement. For example, working on a new type of tennis serve or for a musician, a new challenging piece of music. These professionals use a specific regime in which they supplement a difficult task with mental practice. This helps the professional continue to enhance his/her ability to perform the task even after the physical task is complete.


Researchers in the area of stroke have applied this knowledge to the area of stroke rehabilitation. The goal is to look at how it effects function in the weak arm, as well as, the leg for walking. The research has been positive in both areas. Outcomes have been shown to be most effective when they are in conjunction with a structured therapy program. In the therapy program, specific functional tasks are practiced. Following the practice of the tasks, a specific thirty minute mental practice regime is practiced by the patient outside of the therapy program to further enhance the training effect of the therapy session.


Mental Practice has proven to be a powerful tool to improve performance in rehabilitation. Therefore, the next time you practice an activity that you want to do better, spend a little time practicing it in your mind both before and after and see if your results improve.


Cheers to recovery, until next time.



References:
 
Decety J. The neurophysiological basis of motor imagery. Behav Brain Res. 1996; 77: 45–52.


Weiss T, Hansen E, Beyer L, Conradi ML, Merten F, Nichelmann C, Rost R, Zippel C. Activation processes during mental practice in stroke patients. Int J Psychophysiol. 1994; 17: 91–100.


Page SJ, Levine P, Sisto S, Johnston M. Imagery combined with physical practice for upper limb motor deficit in sub-acute stroke: a case report. Phys Ther. 2001; 81: 1455–1462.


Clin Rehabil. 2001; 15: 233–240.


Page SJ. Imagery improves motor function in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia: a pilot study. Occ Ther J Res. 2000; 20: 200–215.


Crosbie JH, McDonough SM, Gilmore DH, Wiggam MI. The adjunctive role of mentalpractice in the rehabilitation of the upper limb after hemiplegic stroke: a pilot study. Clin Rehabil.2004; 18: 60–68.


Dijkerman HC, Letswaart M, Johnston M, MacWalter RS. Does motor imagery training improve hand function in chronic stroke patients? A pilot study. Clin Rehabil. 2004; 18: 538–549.