Differences in motor imagery abilities in patients with neurological conditions compared to healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Details

Supervisors

Hardwick, Robert M. ; Moreno Verdu, Marcos

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation

Abstract

Introduction: Motor imagery (MI) is a therapeutical option in neurorehabilitation but there is no conclusive evidence about its effectiveness. This could be because MI ability is altered after damage to the central nervous system. Aim: To investigate whether there is a difference in MI ability between healthy individuals and people with central neurological conditions involving altered motor networks. Methods: We searched 6 electronic databases up to February 2024. Studies comparing people with stroke, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Cerebral Palsy (CP) with healthy controls (HCs) were included. The selection process and Risk of Bias assessment (by the JBI critical appraisal checklist) was done independently by 2 reviewers. MI ability assessed through questionnaires, mental chronometry, and mental rotation tasks was the outcome extracted. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used per MI domains and per conditions. Results: Fifty-nine studies were included. Analysis revealed some evidence for a preserved MI generation ability overall, while mental transformation ability was likely impaired in stroke but preserved in PD and MS. Despite the high heterogeneity in mental timing measures, the trend was toward impairment for this ability. Conclusion: Compared to HCs, some aspects of MI ability seemed to be preserved in these neurological conditions. The high heterogeneity in mental chronometry measures and the lack of studies for some conditions restricted the summary of evidence.