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Randomized clinical trial to evaluate mental practice in enhancing advanced laparoscopic surgical performance
M Louridas1, E M Bonrath, D A Sinclair
1Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
The British Journal of Surgery
|October 22, 2014
Summary
Mental practice, cognitive rehearsal without movement, significantly improved advanced laparoscopic surgical skills. This technique helped surgeons maintain performance under stress, unlike conventional training methods.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Cognitive Psychology
- Medical Simulation
Background:
- Mental practice enhances performance in sports and music.
- Previous surgical applications of mental practice were limited to basic procedures.
- This study explored mental practice for advanced laparoscopic surgery and stress management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop mental practice scripts for surgical training.
- To evaluate the impact of mental practice on advanced laparoscopic skills.
- To assess the effect of mental practice on surgeon stress during simulated crises.
Main Methods:
- Twenty senior surgical trainees were randomized into conventional or mental practice groups.
- Skills were assessed during a simulated porcine laparoscopic jejunojejunostomy using OSATS and BOSATS.
- Stress levels and non-technical skills were measured using validated tools.
Main Results:
- The mental practice group showed significant improvements in OSATS and BOSATS scores.
- Trainees in the mental practice group were more likely to improve performance during the crisis scenario.
- Mental imagery ability increased significantly in the mental practice group, but not the control group.
Conclusions:
- Mental practice is effective in enhancing technical performance for advanced laparoscopic surgery.
- This cognitive strategy enables surgical trainees to maintain or improve skills under stressful conditions.
- Mental practice offers a valuable adjunct to traditional surgical training methods.
