112 Optimizing Outcomes in Rehabilitation: Motor Learning Principles and Beyond: Summary
CASE STUDY: EXTERNAL FOCUS
Amy is a 30-year-old woman who experienced a traumatic brain injury when she was struck by a car while crossing a busy street. She was admitted as a patient in an inpatient rehabilitation center but had reached a plateau in her therapy. Despite the efforts of her therapists, Amy often displayed lethargy and a lack of enthusiasm during sessions. Amy’s team recognized the need to shift her focus from internal aspects of movement to external targets, promoting an external focus of attention. External focus means directing one’s attention to a specific target or goal, rather than getting overly absorbed in the internal mechanics of a movement. This approach aimed to enhance her performance and motivation.
In Amy’s case, instead of asking her to concentrate on internal elements like joint angles and muscle engagement, her therapists introduced external cues such as stepping on specific tiles or aiming for targets on the floor. This helped improve her engagement and performance, as it allowed her implicit motor system to take over without interference from her explicit system. Additionally, Amy’s therapists understood the significance of making therapy sessions goal-oriented, meaningful, and engaging.
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