Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
5 years ago

A meta-analysis of mental imagery effects on post-injury functional mobility, perceived pain, and self-efficacy

A meta-analysis was employed to examine the effects of mental imagery (MI) on bio-psychological variables, namely functional mobility, perceived pain, and self-efficacy. Method Ten studies were included in the meta-analytical review. Cohen's d effect sizes (ES) and Hedge's g weighted mean ES (WMES) were computed for all dependent variables. Results The analysis revealed non-significant effects of imagery interventions that were (1) small and positive for functional mobility (g = 0.16), (2) large and negative for perceived pain (g = −0.86), and (3) large and positive for self-efficacy (g = 0.99). These effects were all non-significant, probably because the interventions administered and populations sampled in the studies were mostly heterogeneous. The observed null results might also reflect that existing studies on injury lack power. Hence, the effects of MI on bio-psychological variables warrant continued empirical investigation. Conclusions Given the observed statistical trends, MI interventions are likely to be beneficial for athletes recovering from injury, as they may serve to decrease negative affect and promote gains in mobility and positive affect.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S1469029217302923

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