title: Does mental imagery prior to cystoscopy make a difference? A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine whether mental imagery improves surgical performance of residents novice to cystoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Residents who had performed < or = 3 cystoscopies were randomized to preoperative mental imagery sessions or reading a book chapter describing cystoscopy. The primary outcome was comparison of groups' surgical performance scores. Secondary outcomes were measurements of operative times and resident ratings of helpfulness of their preparation. Scores were compared using 2-factor analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 68 residents were randomized; 33 to imagery and 35 to control groups. Groups did not differ in age, cystoscopic experience, residency level, or sex. The imagery group's surgical assessment scores were 15.9% higher than controls (P = .03). Operative times did not differ between groups. Imagery residents rated imagery preparation as more helpful than controls (P < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residents considered mental imagery to be a more useful preoperative preparation. The mental imagery group's surgical performance was superior to controls.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albuquerque, NM.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Komesu
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Urwitz-Lane
authors.forename: Begum
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozel
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lukban
authors.forename: Margie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Tristi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: Dee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fenner
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013782:Textbooks as Topic