Η επίδραση της νοερής εξάσκησης στην αποκατάσταση μυοσκελετικών κακώσεων

Abstract

Introduction: Motor imagery is an alternative therapeutic technique, which is used for the rehabilitation of neurological diseases, elderly’s impairments, musculoskeletal and sports injuries. Purpose: To write a systematic review, which examines the effectiveness of motor imagery on rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, and specifically, on pain, on strength, on the range of motion, and on functional ability. Methods: Research of 4 electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library, was conducted. The methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Eleven RCTs were selected and included in the present systematic review. Nine RCTs examine the independent variable of pain, 5 RCTs examine the strength, 6 RTCs examine the range of motion and 11 RCTs examine the functional ability. Six RCTs found a statistically significant effect on pain, 4 RCTs found a statistically significant effect on strength, 3 RCTs found a statistically significant effect on the range of motion and 7 RCTs found a statistically significant effect on functional ability. According to the PEDro scale, 2 RCTs have high methodological quality, 8 RCTs have fair methodological quality and 1 RCT has poor methodological quality. Conclusions: The systematic review suggests that motor imagery can be beneficial for patients with musculoskeletal injuries or patients after orthopedic surgery. The majority of the RCTs found a statistically significant effect on pain and strength. However, the results for the range of motion and functional ability are controversial. According to the PEDro evaluation, the methodological quality of the RCTs is fair. Due to the limitations of the study, it is suggested that more RCTs should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of motor imagery on rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.