Efficacy of motor imagery additional to motor-based therapy in the recovery of motor function of the upper limb in post-stroke individuals: a systematic review

Background. Motor imagery (MI) consists of the mental simulation of repetitive movements with the intention of promoting the learning of a motor skill. It seems to be an additional useful tool for motor-based therapy to potentiate the rehabilitation of the upper limb function of post-stroke individuals. Objective. To investigate whether MI combined with motor-based therapy is effective in recovering motor deficits of upper limbs from post-stroke individuals. Method. A systematic review of the literature was performed in the PEDro, LILACS, Cochrane, SCOPUS, Medline/PubMed and SciELO databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of MI associated with motor-based therapy compared with isolated motor-based therapy were included. The included outcomes were gross motor function and functional activities of the upper limb of post-stroke individuals. The physiotherapy evidence database scale was applied for evaluation of methodological quality. Results. Four RCTs were included, with a total of 104 participants, with methodological quality varying from moderate to high. There was a statistically significant improvement in upper limb motor function in all studies. Gross motor function was higher in MI associated with motor-based therapy compared to controls, but only in one study there was superiority in the results of functional activities of the upper limb. Conclusion. There is evidence showing that MI associated with motor-based therapy is an effective tool in improving the motor function of upper limbs of post-stroke individuals. However, more studies are needed to establish criteria for frequency and duration of intervention, and what better type of MI should be used.