WTP6.14 The Effectiveness of Mental Practice in Surgical Skills Practice and Acquisition: A Review

Abstract

Abstract Aims Mental practice (MP) is an established method to enhance performance in other disciplines. The aim of this review is to assess whether the principles of MP are transferable to surgery and describe how it has been applied in our field so far. Methods A narrative review was conducted according to the four steps described by Demiris et. al. Results This review describes the different types of MP and their role on motor skill acquisition. The process of preparation, delivery and assessment of a MP session is described here in a reproducible manner; providing a ‘user guide’ to surgeons. MP has been shown in several reports to be an effective means in learning surgical skills, from basic surgical technique to the steps of a procedure. It has also been described as a technique applicable to both surgical trainees and established surgeons. Ten RCTs demonstrated a favourable effect of MP on technical skills and one trial showed that MP with MI is equivalent to additional physical practice. On the contrary two RCTs showed MP to be inferior or have no impact compared to other types of preparation. Reduced MP duration was identified as one of the possible reasons for a lack of positive results. Conclusion Mental practice is a feasible method for rehearsing surgical skills and procedures that has been demonstrated to enhance skills acquisition and surgical performance. Larger scale, randomised controlled trials are needed to standardise the duration, number of repetitions, and practical considerations for mental practice in surgery.