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Mental Imagery and Mental Practice Applications in Surgery: State of the Art and Future Directions

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Multisensory Imagery

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of the application of mental imagery and mental practice (or motor imagery) within surgical contexts. We first explain the terms “mental imagery” (a form of cognitive simulation) and “mental practice” (or the covert rehearsal of an action in one’s imagination without executing the actual movements involved) and summarise the main theories of mental practice effects. We then propose some important similarities between the skilled performance of surgeons and that of elite athletes, and we review the current status of surgical training—highlighting the growing popularity of simulation methods as a cost-effective alternative to the traditional apprenticeship model whereby novice surgeons hone their skills through repeated supervised experience of operating. Next, we review available empirical research on the efficacy of mental practice interventions in training surgical skills—with special emphasis on the key methodological issues afflicting research in this field. Finally, we present our conclusions and identify some fruitful avenues for further research on mental practice in surgery and surgical training.

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Acknowledgement

Funding: Sevdalis and Arora are affiliated with the Imperial Centre for Patient Safety and Service Quality (www.cpssq.org), which is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital Campus, Wright Fleming Wing (room 507), Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK

    Nick Sevdalis B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. & Sonal Arora B.Sc., M.B.B.S., M.R.C.S., Ph.D.

  2. School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Aidan Moran B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.B.Ps.S.I., A.F.B.Ps., C.

Authors
  1. Nick Sevdalis B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
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  2. Aidan Moran B.A., M.A., Ph.D., F.B.Ps.S.I., A.F.B.Ps., C.
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  3. Sonal Arora B.Sc., M.B.B.S., M.R.C.S., Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nick Sevdalis B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, WOODRUFF CIRCLE WMB 6207 101, ATLANTA, 30329, Georgia, USA

    Simon Lacey

  2. , School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, Montserrat

    Rebecca Lawson

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Sevdalis, N., Moran, A., Arora, S. (2013). Mental Imagery and Mental Practice Applications in Surgery: State of the Art and Future Directions. In: Lacey, S., Lawson, R. (eds) Multisensory Imagery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5879-1_18

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