Combining motor imagery practice with physical practice optimizes the improvement in peak force control during...

Area of Science:

• Chiropractic education
• Motor learning science
• Neuroscience of skill acquisition

Background:

• Spinal manipulation training demands extensive practice, increasing student injury risk.
• Motor imagery (MI) offers a potential method to supplement physical practice (PP), reducing repetition load.
• Optimizing training protocols is crucial for effective and safe skill acquisition in healthcare professions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if combining motor imagery with physical practice (MI+PP) yields comparable improvements in thoracic manipulation force production accuracy compared to physical practice alone (PP).
• To assess the efficacy of a blended learning approach in chiropractic education for developing precise motor skills.

Main Methods:

• Chiropractic students were randomized into two groups: MI+PP (reduced PP sessions) and PP (standard PP sessions) over a five-week training program.
• Participants trained in performing thoracic manipulations, with performance assessed via pre- and post-tests measuring force production accuracy (absolute error).
• The MI+PP group integrated mental practice sessions alongside a reduced number of physical repetitions.

Main Results:

• Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in thoracic manipulation accuracy, indicated by a significant reduction in absolute error from pre-test to post-test.
• The MI+PP group achieved comparable skill improvements to the PP group, despite undertaking one-third fewer physical practice sessions.
• This suggests that motor imagery effectively complements physical practice in skill acquisition.

Conclusions:

• Combining motor imagery with physical practice is an effective strategy to optimize learning and skill development in thoracic manipulation.
• This blended approach allows for comparable skill gains with reduced physical demands, potentially mitigating injury risks for students.
• Motor imagery training presents a viable adjunct to traditional physical practice for enhancing motor skill acquisition in chiropractic education.