Introduction. Motor imagery and mental practice can be defined as a continuous mechanism in which the subject tries to emulate a movement using cognitive processes, without actually performing the motor action. The objective of this review was to analyse and check the efficacy of motor imagery and/or mental practice as a method of rehabilitating motor function in patients that have suffered a stroke, in both subacute and chronic phases. Material and Methods. We performed a bibliographic search from 2009 to 2021 in the following databases, Medline (PubMed), Scopus, WOS, Cochrane, and OTSeeker. The search focused on randomized clinical trials in which the main subject was rehabilitating motor function of the upper limb in individuals that had suffered a stroke in subacute or chronic phases. Results. We analysed a total of 11 randomized clinical trials, with moderate and high methodological quality according to the PEDro scale. Most of the studies on subacute and chronic stages obtained statistically significant short-term results, between pre- and postintervention, in recovering function of the upper limb. Conclusions. Motor imagery and/or mental practice, combined with conventional therapy and/or with other techniques, can be effective in the short term in recovering upper limb motor function in patients that have suffered a stroke. More studies are needed to analyse the efficacy of this intervention during medium- and long-term follow-up.

Background: Stroke is the main cause of disability in adults; the most common and long-term sequela is upper-limb hemiparesis. Many studies support the idea that mental motor imagery, which is related to the visualization of movement patterns, activates the same areas of the cortex as if the movement occurred. Objectives: This study aims to examine the capacity to elaborate mental motor images, as well as its relationship to loss of movement in the upper limbs after a stroke. Method: An observational study, in a sample of 39 adults who suffered a stroke, was carried out. The upper limb movement and functionality, cognitive disorders, the ability to visualize mental images, and activities of daily living were examined. Results: The results depicted a statistically significant correlation between the ability to visualize upper limb mental motor images with movement, functionality, and strength. In addition, a correlation between visual–spatial skills and mental visualization of motor ability and upper limb movement was found. Conclusions: These results suggest that the rehabilitation approach focused on the improvement of mental motor imagery could be of interest for the upper limb rehabilitation of movement and functionality.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in affected upper limb functionality (grip strength, digital pinch, sensitivity, and manual dexterity) in women with breast cancer and to determine whether these factors can predict perceived disability. This study highlights the motor and sensory deficits resulting from breast cancer treatments and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing them. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 42 women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Strength, sensitivity, and manual dexterity were assessed, along with pain and disability questionnaires. Results: Significant differences were found in affected upper limb functionality according to age, employment status, and time since surgery. Grip strength, pinch strength, manual dexterity, and sensitivity were identified as predictors of perceived disability, explaining 92.15% of the variance in SPADI scores. Conclusions: Women with breast cancer experience functional deficits in the upper limb, particularly in strength, sensitivity, and manual dexterity. Age, employment status, and time since surgery influence the perceived disability. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive upper limb evaluations to identify functional deficits and guide personalized rehabilitation strategies.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the third leading cause of death in Spain. The disability derived from ABI can include considerable difficulties in upper-limb use due to somatosensory deficits. One of the assessments most commonly used to evaluate ABI is the Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA); however, there is no complete psychometric analysis or standardized version in Spanish. We aimed to develop and validate a Spanish version of the stereognosis component of the NSA for evaluating Spanish adults with ABI via a single-center, observational, cross-sectional study. The Spanish version of the NSA was developed in two steps. The first was based on the standardization and collection of normative data in 120 asymptomatic participants. For the second, we recruited 25 participants with ABI to establish concurrent criterion-related validity, internal consistency, and floor/ceiling effects. Criterion validity was assessed against two-point discrimination and tactile-localization tests. Our normative data showed significant differences among the various age groups (p < 0.05), supporting the validity of the Spanish-version assessment. For the ABI sample, we also found further evidence of validity with Spearman’s rho coefficient between the total scores and the two-point discrimination and tactile-localization tests, which showed low and moderate correlations (rho = 0.50–0.75, p < 0.05). Internal consistency was excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91. No ceiling or floor effects were found. We conclude that the stereognosis component of the NSA in its Spanish version is a valid scale that can be used to comprehensively and accurately assess stereognosis capacity in adults with ABI. As a low-cost evaluation, this assessment has great potential to be widely used in clinical practice and research settings.

Resumen Introducción La imaginería motora graduada ha reportado resultados muy prometedores en al ámbito de la rehabilitación como complemento de otras modalidades de tratamiento convencionales. El potencial beneficio de las técnicas relacionadas con la representación mental de movimientos y actividades viene determinado por la capacidad del sujeto para la evocación de imágenes mentales. El Cuestionario de Evocación Mental de Imágenes, Movimientos y Actividades (CEMIMA) fue diseñado para evaluar la capacidad de evocación de los miembros superiores específicamente. Objetivo Analizar las propiedades psicométricas del CEMIMA en una muestra de adultos sanos. Método En una muestra de 75 sujetos (53,3% mujeres y 46,7% hombres), con edad media de 40 años se analizó la consistencia interna, fiabilidad intraevaluador (test-retest) y validez de criterio concurrente del instrumento objeto de estudio con el Movement Imagery Questionnaire- Revised (MIQ-R). Resultados El CEMIMA mostró una buena consistencia interna tanto en el total de la escala (α = .82) como en sus respectivas subescalas de evocación (α = .89) y de sensación (α = .83); una adecuada fiabilidad intraevaluador con altas correlaciones entre las puntuaciones del test y el retest, tanto en el total de la escala (r =.84), como en las subescalas de evocación (r =.91) y sensación (r =.92); y validez concurrente con MIQ-R (r =.63) y sus correspondientes subescalas. Conclusión CEMIMA parece ser una medida válida y fiable de la capacidad de evocación mental de sensación e imagen de movimientos en sujetos adultos sanos.

Objective: To analyze differences in affected upper limb functionality (grip strength, digital pinch grip, sensitivity, and manual dexterity) in a population with breast cancer, and the prediction of these factors in perceived disability. Design: Cross-sectional, quantitative, non-randomized, descriptive study. Setting: Eurovillas Physiotherapy and Pilates Clinic, Specialty Center of Torrejón de Ardoz, in Madrid; and Rosae, an association of women affected by breast cancer, in Valdepeñas, Spain. Participants: A total of 42 women diagnosed with breast cancer, with neuropathic symptoms in the upper limb after receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy. Main Measure: A 40-minute assessment, including the collection of sociodemographic data and administration of the following scales: dynamometry, Spanish Nottingham Somatosensory Assessment Stereognosis Scale, Moberg Pick-up Test, Jebsen & Taylor Hand Function Test, Disability and Shoulder Pain Index (SPADI), pinch dynamometry. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 29.0 software. Student's t-tests were used for the group comparison, and the effect size (Cohen's d) was analyzed. An analysis of variance was employed for the linear regression analysis between disability and functionality of the upper limb, considering p50 years (p=0.002). Significant differences were also found in total affected hand disability (F=6.472; D=−0.534) between the group of active and passive women (p=0.015) and in total SPADI time (p=0.026), as well as in mean digital pinch grip (F=5.419; D=.467) between the group of women with surgery ≤4 years and women with surgery >4 years previously (p=0.027). Regression analysis revealed that grip strength, digital pinch strength, hand function, and surface sensitivity are predictor variables in 25.7% of perceived shoulder pain and disability cases. Conclusions: Breast cancer causes motor and sensory disorders in the affected upper limb and in the daily life of those with the disease, triggering disability and reduced quality of life.