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Review Articles

Motor imagery in stroke patients: a descriptive review on a multidimensional ability

, ORCID Icon, , , , , , & show all
Pages 821-832 | Received 26 Jun 2018, Accepted 26 Dec 2018, Published online: 22 Feb 2019
 

Abstract

Purpose/aim: Motor imagery (MI) is the mental representation of a movement without engaging its actual execution. MI shares neuroanatomical correlates with brain motor networks. Neurologic disorders affecting motor skills, such as stroke, have been related to impairments in MI. A descriptive review was conducted to explore the effects of stroke on MI ability and its background mechanisms.

Materials and Methods: We searched on PubMed and Web of Science databases and screening references of included studies and review articles for additional citations.

Results: On a total of 885 studies, only 15 articles met inclusion criteria. Results suggested that MI is impaired after stroke, in implicit and explicit abilities. Impairments in mental chronometry as well as in accuracy and reaction times were observed.

Conclusions: Neuroimaging findings confirmed a brain reorganization after a stroke and a compensatory over-usage of contralesional hemisphere was highlighted.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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