Effects of mirror neuron activation therapies on functionality in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) Vol. 56; pp. 115 - 123
• Main Authors: Mollà-Casanova, Sara, Page, Álvaro, López-Pascual, Juan, Inglés, Marta, Sempere-Rubio, Núria, Aguilar-Rodríguez, Marta, Muñoz-Gómez, Elena, Serra-Añó, Pilar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Balance; Exercise therapy; Fall; Functionality; Mirror neuron; Mirror neuron; Fall; Functionality; Balance; Exercise therapy
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.02.006

•Neuron activation therapies improve relevant abilities in older adults.•Better results are obtained if the therapy includes functional activities.•The beneficial effects of adding MNAT to a PE program are controversial. : To identify the effects of mirror neuron activation (MNAT) combined or not with physical exercise (PE) in healthy older adults, on functionality, balance, gait velocity and risk of falls. : A systematic electronic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Embase databases. : Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative analysis, and eleven in the quantitative analysis. All studies showed fair to high quality and the most frequent high-risk bias was “Blinding of participants and personnel”. Compared to the control condition, higher improvement was shown in older people who received MNAT, on functionality (1.57 [0.57, 2.62], balance (1.95 [1.32, 2.572]), and gait velocity (1.20 [0.30, 2.11]). Compared to PE, MNAT combined with PE does not improve functionality. More studies are needed to assess MNAT effectiveness in the rest of the outcomes. : Neuron system activation through MNAT improves relevant abilities in older adults, with better results when including functional activities. However, the beneficial effects on these variables of adding MNAT to a PE program are controversial.