Effectiveness of the Combined Use of Motor Imagery and Action Observation Therapies in Improving Functionality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of motor imagery and action observation in context of functional rehabilitation and analyse their impact on different functional parameters. Data Sources: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by means of bibliograph...

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Publicado en:NeuroRehabilitation Vol. 57; no. 4; pp. 435 - 453
Autores principales: Arnal-Vallés, María Pilar, Escalada-Hernández, Paula, Bays-Moneo, Ana Beatriz, Pimentel-Parra, Gustavo Adolfo, García-Vivar, Cristina, San Martín-Rodríguez, Leticia, Soto-Ruiz, Nelia
Formato: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Dec2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Dec2025
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        atl: Effectiveness of the Combined Use of Motor Imagery and Action Observation Therapies in Improving Functionality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
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        au:
          Arnal-Vallés, María Pilar
          Escalada-Hernández, Paula
          Bays-Moneo, Ana Beatriz
          Pimentel-Parra, Gustavo Adolfo
          García-Vivar, Cristina
          San Martín-Rodríguez, Leticia
          Soto-Ruiz, Nelia
        affil: Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Department of Health Sciences, Pamplona, Spain
      sug:
        subj:
          Combined Modality Therapy
          Guided Imagery
          Physical Therapy
          Functional Status In Adulthood
          Motor Skills Evaluation
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          Funding Source
          Male
          Female
          Middle Age
          Aged
          PubMed
          Cochrane Library
          CINAHL Database
          Physiotherapy Evidence Database
          Checklists
          Nervous System Diseases Rehabilitation
          Cognition Disorders Rehabilitation
          Trauma Rehabilitation
          Conservative Treatment
          Lower Extremity Physiology
          Upper Extremity Physiology
          Physical Mobility
          Fear
          Walking Speed
          Treatment Duration
          Acute Disease Rehabilitation
          Chronic Disease Rehabilitation
          Parkinson Disease Rehabilitation
          Stroke Rehabilitation
          Hemiplegia Rehabilitation
          Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip Rehabilitation
          Musculoskeletal Diseases Rehabilitation
          Videorecording
          Balance, Postural
          Grip Strength
          Pain Measurement
          Kinesiophobia
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Psychotherapy
          Psychomotor Performance Evaluation
          Adult
          Confidence
          Step
          Electroencephalography
          Brain Physiology
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of motor imagery and action observation in context of functional rehabilitation and analyse their impact on different functional parameters. Data Sources: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by means of bibliographic searches in the PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and PEDro databases until May 2025. Review Methods: Randomized clinical studies with participants older than 18 years with functional problems or limitations and combining action observation and motor imagery therapies were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 tool, Covidence and R platform v4.4.2 were used to assess the quality of the included articles, selection of studies and data analysis, and meta-analysis. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42024552072). Results: Nine articles were ultimately selected. The health conditions addressed included neurological and ageing-related disorders, as well as trauma. Compared with each therapy alone or with conventional therapies, the combination of motor imagery and action observation demonstrated benefits in lower and upper limb functionality, mobility, gait speed and fear of movement. Treatment protocols used varied in dosage (time and repetitions) and frequency (number of sessions per week). Conclusions: Combination of motor imagery and action observation therapies is beneficial for improving functionality, suggesting its potential value as an effective tool in the treatment of acute and chronic symptoms associated with various pathologies. However, clear standards regarding the dosages of these combined therapies are lacking.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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