This study further investigates the relationship between imagery and learning in chiropractic skills. It aims to identify those steps in performing an adjustment that are most difficult for students after they have first used the mental practice technique. Further to this, the study aims to confirm that visual and demonstrator imagery are used in the initial stages of learning an adjustment whilst kinesthetic and spinal imagery are predominantly used in the later stages of learning. A random sample of 52 students from the Master of Chiropractic course at Macquarie University will participate in the study. They will be divided into two groups of even numbers: 26 in the Mental Rehearsal (MR) group and 26 in the Questionnaire (Q) group.
The study will occur in two stages: in stage one both groups will.be shown the adjustment they are to learn. Subjects will then be given a questionnaire that investigates which part of the adjustment they find most difficult. The MR group will then be taken through a mental rehearsal of the adjustment using visual and demonstrator imagery. The Q group will complete a second questionnaire describing what type of imagery they generally use. Both groups will then perform the adjustment and will be examined by two experienced chiropractors. Stage two of the study will occur four weeks later. Both groups will view the same demonstration of the adjustment on video. The MR group will then be taken through the me111al rehearsal technique where kinesthetic and spinal imagery will be used. The Q group will be given another questionnaire to determine which type if imagery they use now. Both groups will then be examined on their performance of the adjustment by the same examiners.
Grant Value: $380
Chief Investigator: Dr Camille Nelson – Macquarie University
Status: Complete
Outcomes:
No outcomes currently recorded