I do this when initially falling asleep. It's not like visualizing, it is just knowing you will lose your conciousness, and then deliberately throwing it away to speed up the process. Why it helped me get more lucids, I don't know. A theory why has been given in the initial post. Whether it helps your LD count or not, it certainly helps falling asleep quikly, which is always useful.
As for how to do this combined with MILD: confirm your mantra first, then 'throw the conciousness away', knowing and feeling you will succeed. Don't forget that MILD is about the setting of your intention and really feeling it, not just about the recited words themselves.

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone! Sorry for my slow reaction, I've been a bit busy with my studies.