The Effect of Early-Phase Graded Motor Imagery Following Massive Rotator Cuff Repair. (NCT07481864) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
The Effect of Early-Phase Graded Motor Imagery Following Massive Rotator Cuff Repair.
38 participantsStarted 2026-08-15
Plain-language summary
Massive rotator cuff tears are associated with significant pain, functional limitations, and prolonged rehabilitation following surgical repair. In the early postoperative phase, rehabilitation protocols are often limited due to surgical protection requirements, which may delay the restoration of motor control and shoulder function. Graded motor imagery (GMI), a movement representation technique that includes laterality recognition, motor imagery, and mirror therapy, has been shown to modulate cortical processing and improve pain and motor function in various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. However, its potential role in early postoperative shoulder rehabilitation has not been adequately investigated.
Who can participate
Age range
30 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain Intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS)
Timeframe: Baseline (postoperative day 0), 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery.
2
Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV)
Timeframe: Baseline (postoperative day 0), 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
3
Passive Shoulder Range of Motion
Timeframe: 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery.