1Faculty of Therapeutic Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University, Kemancahaya 11, Batu 9, Cheras-43200, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: Ananth Nagaraj Faculty of Therapeutic Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University, Cheras-43200, Malaysia Email: anaphysioforyou@gmail.com Ph: 9035651979
Online published on 27 April, 2016.
Physiotherapist often find themselves in a fix when it comes to choosing the most effective practice strategies needed when helping a patient learn a functional task.
Although there are a variety of practice strategies available, this study has been undertaken to evaluate the effect of mental practice and part/whole practice for better and effective motor learning.
18 healthy subjects aged 20 to 30 who never used Chinese chopstick to eat were selected and randomly assigned to two groups of nine subject each. Subjects in Group 1 were given mental practice while group 2 received part/whole practice for 20 minutes, every day, for a week for developing skill acquisition in the form of using Chinese chop sticks for eating. A week's washout period was given before both groups switched task, performing for the same time duration.
Both the practices found to be equally beneficial when tested separately within or between subjects for skill acquisition at p>0.5. Overall differences between the subjects show promising effect when both the practices are superimposed one over the other at p<0.5.
Both practices have about the same degree of effectiveness when used on its own. There is an increase in effectiveness when both practices are combined, however mental practice should be used prior to part/whole practice.
Motor control, Practice, Skill Acquisition
