Franklin Method® Research

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The Franklin Method® has been recognized and cited by scientists as a recommended approach to improving overall function in Parkinson’s patients. At the same time, we see an extremely positive development: scientific efforts are now increasingly aimed at improving the quality of life and well-being of the individual on the basis of the Franklin Method®.

For more information: Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation: Effectiveness Approaches and New Perspectives (by Luciana Auxiliadora de Paula Vasconcelos / Published: November 20th 2019)

Starting on Page 24 (4.1.9. Mental imagery) und Page 33 (References [79])

2012:

• Increases jumping height in dancers (Heiland et al.,Research in Dance Education, 2012)
• Improves plié arabesque performance in dancers (Heiland et al., Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, 2012)

2018:

• Improves mental imagery ability in people with Parkinsonʼs disease (Abraham et al., Neural Plasticity, 2018)
• Improves disease severity and motor and cognitive functions in people with Parkinsonʼs disease (Abraham et al., Neural Plasticity, 2018).
• Improves pelvic schema and graphic-metric representation in people with Parkinsonʼs disease (Abraham et al., Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2018).

2019:

• Improves mental imagery ability and characteristics in dancers (Abraham et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 10:382, 2019. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00382)
• Improves developpé performance, hip range-of-motion, and pelvic postural alignment in dancers (Abraham et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 10:382, 2019. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00382)

2020:

• Motor-cognitive interaction: The role and measurement of engagement (Madeleine E Hackney, Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, Amit Abraham et al., Nova Science Publishers, 2020 – read here)
• Integrating mental imagery and fascial tissue: A conceptualization for research into movement and cognition (Mentale Bilder und Fasziengewebe:  Eine Konzeptualisierung für die Erforschung von Bewegung und Kognition) (Amit Abraham, Eric Franklin, Carla Stecco, Robert Schleip, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2020)

2021:

• The Role of Mental Imagery in Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation (Anwendung Mentaler Bilder in der Rehabilitation von Parkinson –  Amit Abraham, Ryan P. Duncan, Gammon M. Earhart, Brain Sciences, 2021, 11, 185)
• Looking beyond the binary: an extended paradigm for focus of attention in human motor performance (Rebecca Gose,  Amit Abraham, Experimental Brain Research, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-021-06126-4)

2022:

• A Study to Investigate Dressage Riders Perception of the use of Dynamic Neuro- Cognitive ImageryTM on their awareness of their Riding Position (Journal of Physical Fitness, Medicine & Treatment in Sports,Prescott J1*, Lewis V2 and Starko Bowes A3, DOI: 10.19080/JPFMTS.2022.09.555773, 2022)

2024:

• Mental imagery for addressing mechanisms underlying motor impairments in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Arava Ron Baum, Eric Franklin, Yael Leitner and Amit Abraham, Frontiers in Neurology, Dezember 2024, DOI 10.3389/fneur.2024.1501871)

Introductory Training in Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery Improves Mental Imagery Abilities and Mindfulness in Healthy Adults

by Amit Abraham, Eric Franklin

abraham_poster_ismeta-2025

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Mental imagery for addressing mechanisms underlying motor impairments in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

by Arava Ron Baum, Eric Franklin, Yael Leitner and Amit Abraham

fneur-3-1501871

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study-riding-position-research-2022_compressed

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goseabraham-2021b-ebr-1

Amit Abraham, Ryan P. Duncan, Gammon M. Earhart, Brain Sciences, 2021

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brainsci-11-00185-v2

Amit Abraham, Eric Franklin, Carla Stecco, Robert Schleip, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2020

Summary:

Another scientific study on the application of mental imagery has been published. Published in the journal “Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice,” we brought together a group of experts dedicated to the application of mental imagery and fascia: Eric Franklin (USA/Switzerland), Dr. Amit Abraham (USA/Israel), Dr. Robert Schleip (Germany), and Dr. Carla Stecco (Italy). This is the first published study examining the connections and effects of mental imagery (imagination) on fascia. Building on Eric Franklin’s decades of work in the field of “fascial imagery,” this study describes possible scientifically sound ways in which our minds can influence the anatomical, physiological, and functional properties of fascial tissue through mental imagery.
The effectiveness of mental imagery – particularly Dynamic Neurocognitive Imagery™ (known as the Franklin Method®) – on fascial tissue is described, directing inner focus and awareness. This may also lead to an improvement in sensory information from the fascial tissue and its interpretation in the brain.
This study forms the basis for further research into the targeted application of the Franklin Method® fascial imagery/imagery to improve function, relieve pain, and promote well-being in fascia-related disorders such as back and shoulder pain, among others.

Link to Abstract

abraham-franklin-stecco-schleip-2020b-ctcp

Motor-cognitive interaction: The role and measurement of engagement

Madeleine E Hackney, Lise Worthen-Chaudhari, Amit Abraham et al., Nova Science Publishers, 2020

Summary:

This article discusses the role of mental imagery (mB) in general and dynamic neurocognitive imagery (DNI = Dynamic Neurocognitive Imagery, also known as the Franklin Method) in training and rehabilitation. The study describes the benefits of mental imagery training for various groups of individuals, including dancers and people with Parkinson’s disease, and summarizes findings from the literature demonstrating the positive effects of such a training approach.
Furthermore, the study addresses current challenges associated with measuring mB activity and highlights the differences between the environments in which scientific measurements have been conducted (such as research laboratories) and those in training where mental imagery is used (such as dance studios, physical therapy, etc.).
The study also provides guiding suggestions for scientific and clinical approaches, including validating the long-term effects of using mental imagery and DNI training, as well as further understanding one’s own approach to using mental imagery and metaphors and maintaining them for the longest possible period.

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studie_motor-cognitive-interaction2020_amitabraham

“Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery (DNITM) Improves Developpé Performance, Kinematics, and Mental Imagery Ability in University-Level Dance Students”

Amit Abraham 1,2*, Rebecca Gose 3, Ron Schindler 4, Bethany H. Nelson 2 and Madeleine E. Hackney 1,5

Note:

A new study on DNI and its beneficial effect on dance performance was recently published in the prestigious peer reviewed scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology. 

A group of researchers from Emory University (USA), the University of Georgia (USA) and the Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) assessed the effect of an intensive DNI training on performance of the developpe dance movement and found that following the training, participants significantly improved in gesturing ankle rise height, hip abduction and flexion range-of-motion, and mental imagery ability. Further, participants maintained their correct pelvic alignment. This study provides another evidence as for the efficacy of DNI/FM approach to dance performance and injury prevention.

Link to the Article

studie_research_fpsyg-10-00382

“Will you draw me a pelvis?ˮ Dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery improves pelvic schema and graphic-metric representation in people with Parkinsonʼs Disease: A randomized controlled trial

by Amit Abraham^a,b, Ariel Hart^a, Ruth Dickstein^c, Madeleine E.Hackney^a,d

Background

Body schema (i.e., the mental representations of the body), vital for motor and cognitive functions, is often distorted in people with Parkinsonʼs disease (PD). Deficits in body, and especially pelvic, schema can further exacerbate motor and cognitive deficits associated with PD. Such deficits, including those in graphic and metric misjudgments, can manifest in drawing tasks. Mental imagery is a recommended approach for PD rehabilitation with potential for ameliorating body schema.

Objective

To investigate the effect of a two-week dynamic neuro-cognitive imagery (DNI) training versus in-home learning and exercise control (learning/exercise) on pelvic schema and graphic representation (i.e., drawing height and width).

Design

Twenty participants with idiopathic PD (Hoehn&Yahr I-III; Mage: 65.75⁺10.13) were randomly allocated into either a DNI or a learning/exercise group. Participants were asked to complete the “Draw Your Pelvisˮ test in which they drew their pelvis at pre- and post-intervention. Drawings were assessed for pelvic schema score and drawing dimensions (i.e., height and weight).

Intervention

DNI anatomical and metaphorical imagery focusing on pelvic anatomy and biomechanics.

Results

No difference (p > .05) was detected at baseline between drawn pelvis height and width. Following intervention, improvements were greater in the DNI group for pelvic schema (p < .01), drawn pelvic width (p < .05) and width-height difference (p < .05).

Conclusions

This study suggests that DNI could serve as a rehabilitation path for improving body schema in people with PD. Future studies should explore DNI mechanisms of effect and the effect of enhanced pelvic schema on motor and non-motor deficits in this population.

Link to Article

Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive Imagery Improves Mental Imagery Ability, Disease Severity, and Motor and Cognitive Functions in People with Parkinson’s Disease

by Amit Abraham,^1,2 Ariel Hart,¹ Isaac Andrade,³ and Madeleine E. Hackney^1,4

Abstract:

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience kinesthetic deficits, which affect motor and nonmotor functions, including mental
imagery. Imagery training is a recommended, yet underresearched, approach in PD rehabilitation. Dynamic Neuro-Cognitive
Imagery (DNI™) is a codified method for imagery training. Twenty subjects with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages I–III)
were randomly allocated into DNI training (experimental; n = 10) or in-home learning and exercise program (control; n = 10).
Both groups completed at least 16 hours of training within two weeks. DNI training focused on anatomical embodiment and
kinesthetic awareness. Imagery abilities, disease severity, and motor and nonmotor functions were assessed pre- and
postintervention. The DNI participants improved (p < 05) in mental imagery abilities, disease severity, and motor and spatial
cognitive functions. Participants also reported improvements in balance, walking, mood, and coordination, and they were more
physically active. Both groups strongly agreed they enjoyed their program and were more mentally active. DNI training is a
promising rehabilitation method for improving imagery ability, disease severity, and motor and nonmotor functions in people
with PD. This training might serve as a complementary PD therapeutic approach. Future studies should explore the effect of
DNI on motor learning and control strategies.

research_parkinson_franklinmethod_abstrakt

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Effects of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic imagery interventions on dancers’ plié arabesques

by Teresa L. Heiland, Robert Rovetti, and Jan Dunn

heiland-plie-arabesque-20123

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Examining effects of Franklin Method metaphorical and anatomical mental images on college dancers’ jumping height

by Teresa Heiland & Robert Rovetti

heiland-rovetti-franklin-method-jump-height4

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