Introduction: Mentally Guided Imagery (MGI) has successfully been applied in sports for skill acquisition and performance enhancement. Despite the fact that athletes often use mental imagery as a part of their preparation, it has not been extensively explored as a learning technique in medical education. Few studies had highlighted mental imagery as a way to review and practice surgical skills efficiently. The present study aimed to assess the efficiency of intubation skills acquired through mental imagery in medical interns. Aim: To assess and compare the effect of Guided mental imagery and physical practice using mannequins on intubation technique among 40 medical Interns after seven days of training. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Velammal Medical College and Hospital, Madurai over a period of seven days. Forty house surgeons were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n=20) practiced MGI on intubation technique and Group B (n=20) practiced on mannequins one hour everyday for seven days. The performance of the students was assessed using a graded Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Results: Results of Group A and Group B were analysed and compared statistically using paired and unpaired t-test. Though there was significant difference between the pre and post values in the MGI group (p<0.001), there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.216) in the post-intervention scores between the Mentally Guided Imagery (MGI) and physical practice group. Conclusion: Guided mental imagery was as effective as additional physical practice for medical students learning to perform intubation.
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