CARDS

Myofunktional Exercise  Collect ion

Application:

Various arrangements for a methodical performance / monitoring of the domestic activities and moreover for self-monitoring.

Contents:

The term CARDS will stand for measures which are integrated into the treatment process with a certain frequency of occurrence. They show different names and execution modes but a common basic structure, a common subject matter and a common goal. This basic structure implies a schedule which mostly is divided into the seven weekdays columns and mostly shows about three lines of occasions.

The subject matter contains the fixing of control dates at which the learnt muscle action is checked on its correct carry-out.

The goal is the habituation of the specific muscle action. In connection with the application see paragraph ‘Discussion’.

Materials:

See  example

The adjoining example shows the basic structure described in the above text. The card can optionally be varied in its segmentation.

- Step-by-step-description:

-1The patient gets familiarised with the task. Simultaneously the importance of a correct and punctual performing will be emphasized in respect of later supervisions.

-2 Punctually at the appointed date the patient makes the required record (see ‘Discussion’).

A positive sign is recorded (for example a green + or a green sticker) when in accordance to the accord at the time given or in the previous period the muscle action is or has been executed correctly respectively a negative sign (in red) if any doubts exist about that.

-3 At the next session the card is produced, evaluated and, according to the requirements, repeatedly fixed.

-Timing: The inner structure of the card has been discussed in the text above (like week days and daytimes). It might not be advisable to expand the runtime markedly over seven week days.

Likewise an overload may have a negative influence upon the effectuality if, for example, more then five control dates would be fixed. From this reason also a repeated scheduling of a card more then three, maximum five times in a row should not be aimed at.

Then a modified kind of card should be chosen to maintain the cooperation.

With regard to the general timing it has been discussed that this measure with the purpose of habituation should be established in the final phase of the respective training section.

Characteristics:

Habituation, Self-control, Motivation.

Remarks:

As stated elsewhere the way of recording through the patient should be seen as a – cautiously speaking – self-assessment of the patient.

So the therapist should value a roundly positive result rather with some provision a way as: ”Well, if this would be true it really would mean a great success!”

Discussion:

The measure has a strongly motivational background.

With a conscientious introduction a later control through the therapist it shall become an important task for the patient.

This means that during the complete time of application of the card the necessity of a punctual and correct recording will have to stay present.

This will create a mental connection to keeping the desired muscle action in a correct carry-out as well.

This both will be present over the respective timeframe in the subconscious meeting the goal, the habituation.

Variation alternatives may stress this effect.

According to this a prescription can be found in literature to hand out several cards in a row; from card to card the monitoring times are varied so that a subconscious obligation is reinforced to punctually remember the recording.

The playfulness of the procedure can be emphasized by having the notations done by differently coloured sticker points or painting in of the questioner fields.

There also are suggestions to load the fields with little rewards similar to an Advent calendar or to tender those for each positive entry.

In the case of a magnificent end result this reward as well as a big commendation from the therapist should never fail to appear (see ‘Remarks’).

The use of these cards is purposive.

Habituated are the Stand-by­ Position and Reflex Loops primarily over the day, later on at night time.

Measures with the described or similar contents are also described in the following chapters:

List of Exercises:

CARDS

NIGHT SCHEDULE.

Night-time habituation in combination with Mental Training.

PLUSMINUS

Record (+) or (-) for the just prevailing state.

MEMO

Measures for remembering the aspired target.

TIMETABLES.

Prescription for a punctual at-home training.

MOTIVATION EXERCISES.

Measures for motivation.