Effectiveness of Motor Imagery on Motor Recovery in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Systematic Review.

Ana Gil-Bermejo-Bernardez-Zerpa,Carlos Luque-Moreno,David Lucena-Anton,Jose A Moral-Munoz

doi:10.3390/ijerph18020498

Ana Gil-Bermejo-Bernardez-Zerpa, Carlos Luque-Moreno + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020498

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Abstract

The effects of motor imagery (MI) on functional recovery of patients with neurological pathologies, such as stroke, has been recently proven. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MI on motor recovery and quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). A search was carried out in the following scientific databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science, up to November 2020. The grey literature and reference lists of potentially relevant articles were also searched. The Checklist for Measuring Quality and The Cochrane collaboration’s tool were used to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias of the studies. Five studies were included in the systematic review. Findings showed that pwMS using MI had significant improvements in walking speed and distance, fatigue and QOL. In addition, several benefits were also found in dynamic balance and perceived walking ability. Although the evidence is limited, rehabilitation using MI with the application of musical and verbal guides (compared to non-intervention or other interventions), can produce benefits on gait, fatigue and QOL in pwMS with a low score in the Expanded Disability Status Scale.

Highlights

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating, chronic and autoimmune neurological pathology
The results of the present study focused on the main aspects of the motor imagery (MI) technique for interventions on patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), its applicability, and the key features to be considered for implementing future trial protocols
Since rhythm-based music interventions can improve the gait parameters of velocity and cadence in pwMS [46], the results suggest that the combination of verbal and musical-guided MI should be used to improve the spatiotemporal parameters of gait

Summary

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating, chronic and autoimmune neurological pathology. In addition to conventional physical therapy, there are many interventions focused on complement these programmes [4]. Some methods, such as virtual reality, count with already proven evidence in pwMS [5]. In this way, the applicability of motor imagery (MI) techniques has recently been shown in different rehabilitation contexts [6]. In 1964, Richardson first discussed the possibility of using mental practise through MI as a practical technique for physical therapists in the motor rehabilitation process [10]

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