Effect of Motor Imagery Training on Motor Learning in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frank Behrendt, Valerie Zumbrunnen, Lynn Brem, Zorica Suica, Szabina Gäumann, Carina Ziller, Ulrich Gerth and Corina Schuster-Amft
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Frank Behrendt: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Valerie Zumbrunnen: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Lynn Brem: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Zorica Suica: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Szabina Gäumann: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Carina Ziller: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Ulrich Gerth: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland
Corina Schuster-Amft: Reha Rheinfelden, Research Department, 4310 Rheinfelden, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-27

Abstract: Background : There is an urgent need to systematically analyze the growing body of literature on the effect of motor imagery (MI) training in children and adolescents. Methods : Seven databases and clinicaltrials.gov were searched. Two reviewers independently screened references and full texts, and extracted data (studies’ methodology, MI elements, temporal parameters). Two studies were meta-analyzed providing the standard mean difference (SDM). Selected studies were evaluated with the risk of bias (RoB) and GRADE tools. Results : A total of 7238 references were retrieved. The sample size of the 22 included studies, published between 1995 and 2021, ranged from 18 to 136 participants, totaling 934 (nine to 18 years). Studies included healthy pupils, mentally retarded adolescents, children with motor coordination difficulties or with mild mental disabilities. The motor learning tasks focused on upper, lower and whole body movements. SMDs for the primary outcome of pooled studies varied between 0.83 to 1.87 (95% CI, I 2 , T 2 varied 0.33–3.10; p = 0.001; 0–74%; 0–0.59). RoB varied between some concerns and high risk. GRADE rating was low. Conclusions : MI combined with physical practice (PP) might have a high potential for healthy and impaired children and adolescents. However, important reporting recommendations (PETTLEP, TIDieR, CONSORT) should be followed. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42021237361.

Keywords: motor imagery training; mental practice; PETTLEP; children and adolescents; randomized controlled trial; systematic review and meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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