Early-Phase Graded Motor Imagery after Massive Rotator Cuff Repair

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study explores the use of graded motor imagery as an early rehabilitation tool following arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears. The approach combines laterality recognition, motor imagery, and mirror therapy to target cortical processing and potentially improve pain and shoulder function during the protected postoperative period. Eligible participants are adults aged 30–65 with repaired anterior-superior rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons. The study is led by Acibadem University in Istanbul, Turkey, and aims to determine whether GMI is feasible and beneficial in this specific postoperative setting.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 30 and 65 years
* Presence of an arthroscopically repaired anterior-superior rotator cuff tear, involving the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age younger than 30 years or older than 65 years

  * Presence of severe malignant, hematological, endocrine, metabolic, rheumatologic, or gastrointestinal diseases
  * Diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade III or higher, with radiographic evidence of osteophytes)
  * Current treatment with cytotoxic agents or systemic corticosteroids
  * Alcohol dependence, history of substance abuse, or psychological/emotional disorders that may compromise the validity of informed consent
  * Previous surgery on the ipsilateral shoulder
  * Multiple tendon tears, such as combined tears involving the supraspinatus together with the infraspinatus or subscapularis tendons

Where it's running

• Acibadem University
  Istanbul, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Nuray ALACA
• Email: nuray.alaca@acibadem.edu.tr
• Phone: 05324251290

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Functional electrical stimulation plus shoulder exercises for older adults with rotator cuff pain

  In older adults with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain, this study tests whether adding functional electrical stimulation to a shoulder exercise program improves muscle coordination and reduces impingement compared with exercises alone.

  Recruiting University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT07886827

• Shoulder pain patients: see if breathing and chest exercises help pain and sleep

  This study tests whether adding respiratory muscle strengthening and diaphragmatic breathing to shoulder rehab can reduce pain and improve sleep in adults with chronic shoulder pain.

  Recruiting Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University · Zonguldak · NCT07885215

• Night Pain Module for Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain

  Researchers are testing a short set of questions to measure night pain in people with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain to see if it reliably describes how sleep is affected.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital · Istanbul and 2 other locations · NCT07838233

• Nociplastic Pain in SAPS: A Look at Pain Types in Shoulder Pain

  This study tests how common nociplastic pain is among people with subacromial pain syndrome who have shoulder pain for at least 3 months.

  Recruiting Vejle Hospital · Vejle · NCT07792434

• Pain phenotype and response to corticosteroid injection in SAPS

  This study tests whether people with subacromial pain syndrome who have a nociplastic pain pattern respond differently to a corticosteroid injection than those without that pattern.

  Recruiting Vejle Hospital · Vejle · NCT07792421

• Spinal and Kaltenborn mobilization for a stiff shoulder (frozen shoulder)

  A randomized trial tests spinal mobilization with arm movement and Kaltenborn mobilization to see if they reduce pain and improve motion and function in people with adhesive capsulitis.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Riphah International University · Lahore, Punjab Province and 1 other locations · NCT07724691

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.