Researchers from the Centre of Research and Innovation in Sport, at the University Claude Bernard and the University of Lyon in Villeurbanne, France, examined whether mental imagery (MI) training can increase muscle strength, especially when movements are under the control of large cortical areas in the primary motor cortex. (It has already been well established that it improves motor performance and motor learning.)
This pilot study experiment assessed whether MI can improve upper and lower limb strength, with complex, multi-joint exercises.
We love hearing from deployed soldiers and we’re finally getting some steady email from them. We welcome any and all feedback, as we continue to tweak some of our programs to better suit our military. By the way, take a look at what this soldier says about sleep meds at the end of his note.
Researchers from Imperial College London and St. Mary's Hospital in London investigated the effects of “mental practice” (guided imagery) on surgical performance. Mental practice (imaginal rehearsal or guided imagery) of a task before performance has been shown to be successful at enhancing skill with sports and music [Ed. Note: also with rehab and several medical procedures]. This study looks at its impact on laparoscopic surgery. The idea is to give novice surgeons ample opportunity to practice safely before operating on an actual patient.
Researchers from the Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing, China looked at whether guided imagery can reduce the anxiety and tension that astronauts feel during centrifuge training (designed to improve their tolerance of hypergravity) and which can impede their responses. This small study measured the impact of guided imagery vs. music on changes in anxiety, heart rate and heart rate variability in 12 healthy young men before, during and after centrifuge training.
Change in the patterns of anxiety was different in the two groups over
the three phases. Anxiety (measured by State Anxiety Inventory) in the
GI group changed from 31.7 +/- 5.9 to 26.8 +/- 2.6 and 27.8 +/- 4.1,
whereas for the music group this changed from 32.2 +/- 7.6 to 31.2 +/-
8.3 and 26.8 +/- 6.8.
I have attended a couple of your programs. At the one in Virginia and the Washington DC area, you mentioned some tips for the caregiver for your loved one with cancer.
It was a listing of 'helpful hints' for people/family who are impacted by the diagnosis of life-threatening cancer - i.e. setting boundaries with others who want to share their story...etc.
Would you be so kind as to repeat this? As an oncology nurse manager, I have to assist the caregiver as well as the person with cancer during this process, and I thought what you were speaking about would be a help to them and their journey.
After our posting the study about how the practice of mindfulness meditation can improve working memory, we got this charming inquiry from someone who felt her brain was turning to mush at her stressful job:
“OK what is mindfulness training & where can I get some?!!! Very stressful day yesterday at work & in the afternoon, I noted definite cognitive deterioration!! Couldn't hold a thought in my head!”
Researchers from the Department of Mental Health at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego compared the effectiveness of Exposure Therapy (ET) to Virtual Reality (VR) in the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress in theater at Camp Fallujah in Iraq.
This case series documents the first use of VR-based therapy in the treatment of PTSD in a combat theater. Results of therapy are being reported from a mental health clinic in Camp Fallujah, Iraq.
Combat PTSD constituted a relatively small percentage of overall mental
health patients seen. Those who did present with PTSD were offered
either VR-based ET or traditional ET.
Researchers from Brainclinics Diagnostics in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, conducted a meta-analysis of the efficacy of neurofeedback on ADHD.
Both prospective controlled studies and studies employing a pre- and post-design found large effect sizes for neurofeedback on impulsivity and inattention and a medium impact on hyperactivity.
Randomized studies demonstrated a lower effect size for hyperactivity, suggesting that hyperactivity is probably more sensitive to nonspecific treatment factors.
I am currently in therapy and have been working on issues related to past childhood sexual abuse. Do you have any CDs that you narrate to address positive sexuality, relaxation during partner sex, and/or any CDs that address sexual and emotional intimacy? If you don't personally narrate any - do you have recommendations as to what might be a good imagery CD to purchase that addresses these areas? Thanks so much for your direction - your CDs have been so valuable to my progress and healing. Serena
I'm proud to introduce performing artist, Vietnam vet and awesome guy "Big Mike,"who sent us a beautiful card (with some hilarious elements) last week. He’s officially disabled, but earns his keep playing the 12-string guitar and auto-harp. Included in the envelope was this wonderful picture of him performing, along with his bright orange business card, and a sticker that read, “I do the handicapped shuffle when I’ve got the disability blues”.
Researchers from the Centre of Research and Innovation in Sport, at the University Claude Bernard and the University of Lyon in Villeurbanne, France, examined whether mental imagery (MI) training can increase muscle strength, especially when movements are under the control of large cortical areas in the primary motor cortex. (It has already been well established that it improves motor performance and motor learning.)
Researchers from the Department of Mental Health at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego compared the effectiveness of Exposure Therapy (ET) to Virtual Reality (VR) in the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress in theater at Camp Fallujah in Iraq. 
