Motor Imagery ability in adults with neurological conditions compared to healthy individuals: A systematic review

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Objective: Growing evidence suggests effects of motor imagery interventions in neurorehabilitation. However, neurological impairment may be related to deficits in motor imagery ability. We summarized the evidence on differences across motor imagery ability components following Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Parkinson’s disease (PD), or Multiple Sclerosis (MS).Data sources: Six databases were searched up to February 2024.Review methods: Studies comparing adults with these conditions to healthy individuals were included. Two reviewers independently selected studies and assessed Risk of Bias. Qualitative analyses were applied. Outcomes were motor imagery generation, maintenance, and manipulation, assessed through questionnaires, mental chronometry, and mental rotation tasks. Results: Fifty-two studies with low or moderate bias were included (Stroke: n=26; TBI: n=1; PD: n=14; MS: n=11). Qualitative analyses suggested possible differences in Stroke and MS for manipulation of MI, while for PD the evidence was contradictory. For imagery generation and maintenance, contradictory evidence for Stroke and MS (stronger towards a difference) was found, while for PD moderate evidence for a difference was found. For TBI, a limited number of studies impeded performing formal syntheses of the evidence. Conclusion: Differences in specific motor imagery ability domains may be present in people with neurological conditions of different aetiologies. Clinicians should consider assessing all three components before applying motor imagery interventions.

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