In rehabilitation therapy patients often lack the motivation to practice, which results in disengagement from treatment. Introducing the theory of Possible Selves to rehabilitation therapy, the patient`s mindset can be positively influenced and patients facilitated to practice towards a healthy future-self.
Therapy Description
In my research, I analyzed the current treatment process and developed a new therapy approach, introducing a Possible Self agent to the rehabilitation process. The agent, triggered by a visual stimulus, opts to provide patients a motivating outlook on the therapy outcome and triggers goal-oriented behaviors by increasing the patient´s intrinsic motivation and perceived competence.
Clinical Evidence
01 Possible Self Stimulus
To verify my hypotheses about possible-selves as agents in rehabilitation therapy, I developed a stimulus and carried a quantitative study with patients in rehabilitation therapy. Patients from the experiment group who developed a possible-self were able to come up with strategies for the attainment of goal-oriented behavior, as opposed to patients from the control group, who did not receive the stimulus. Thus, the possible-self agent was effective in motivating patients to practice towards a healthy future-self.
02 Intrinsic Motivation
A significant effect on intrinsic motivation was measured between subjects who attained a PS & control group:
(M=6,02) (SD=0,63) and study group (M=5,45) (SD=0,80), [F(1,28) = 4,62, p=0.04, eta. = 0.14, d = 0.8].
03 Perceived Competence
A significant effect on perceived competence was measured between subjects who attained a PS & control group:
(M=5,77) (SD=0,47) and study group (M=5,30) (SD=0,58), [F(1,28) = 5,93, p=0.21, eta. = 0.21, d = 0.9].
