A Meta-Analysis of Mental Imagery Effects on Post-Injury Functional Mobility, Perceived Pain, and Self-Efficacy

Objectives: We used meta-analysis to examine the effects of mental imagery (MI) on three bio-psycho-social factors, 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 (WES) were computed for all dependent variables. Results: The analysis revealed that the effect of imagery interventions was (1) small and positive for functional mobility (g =.16), (2) large and negative for perceived pain (g = -.86), and (3) large and positive for self-efficacy (g = .99). These effects were all non-significant, probably because the interventions administered and populations sampled in the studies were mostly heterogeneous. Hence, the effects of MI on bio-psycho-social 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