For their study with urological surgeons, the researchers studied four urology fellows and three urology residents from the medical center. After training in the Alexander Technique, the subjects demonstrated improved abilities to complete laparoscopic skills in a shorter time. The subjects showed improvements in posture, trunk and shoulder stability and the ability to perform the series of laparoscopic skills tests.  

"The Alexander Technique training program resulted in significant improvement in posture and trunk and shoulder endurance," the researchers state in their presentation. "Improved endurance and posture during surgery reduces the occurrence of surgical fatigue. Intra-operative fatigue has been shown to be associated with surgical errors. AT training has the potential to reduce the occurrence of fatigue-related surgical errors."

Dr. Reddy said in the next phase of the research will include a larger scale "cross-specialty" assessment of how the Alexander Technique impacts surgical ergonomics in both laparoscopic surgery and also more traditional open surgery.

Also collaborating on the study were Jennifer Roig-Francoli, M.AmSAT, of the American Society for the Alexander Technique; and Lois Cone, M.AmSat, department of Radiology at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati. Both conducted Alexander Technique training and postural assessments for the study. Also collaborating was Trisha P. Reddy, a student of Xavier University, Cincinnati.

SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center