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Motor imagery training improves balance and mobility outcomes in older adults: A systematic review
Nicholson, Vaughan Watts, Naomi Chani, Yannick Keogh, Justin W. L.
Nicholson, Vaughan
Watts, Naomi
Chani, Yannick
Keogh, Justin W. L.
Abstract
Question Does motor imagery training improve measures of balance, mobility and falls in older adults without a neurological condition? Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Participants Adults aged at least 60 years and without a neurological condition. Intervention Three or more sessions of motor imagery training. Outcome measures The primary outcomes were balance measures (such as single leg stance and Berg Balance scale) and mobility measures (such as gait speed and the Timed Up and Go test). Falls were a secondary outcome measure. Risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro Scale, and overall quality of evidence was assessed using the Grades of Research, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results Twelve trials including 356 participants were included in the systematic review and 10 trials (316 participants) were included in the meta-analyses. All trials included either apparently healthy participants or older adults after orthopaedic surgery. There was evidence that motor imagery training can significantly improve balance (SMD 1.03, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.82), gait speed (MD 0.13 m/s, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.22) and Timed Up and Go (MD 1.64 seconds, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.49) in older adults; however, the quality of evidence was very low to low. No data regarding falls were identified. Conclusion Motor imagery training improves balance and mobility in older adults who do not have a neurological condition. These results suggest that motor imagery training could be an adjunct to standard physiotherapy care in older adults, although it is unclear whether or not the effects are clinically worthwhile.
Keywords
rehabilitation, gait, motor skills, postural balance, aged
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Physiotherapy
Book
Volume
65
Issue
4
Page Range
200-207
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access
Open