Effect of Motor Imagery Training on Pain, Functionality, Proprioception and Kinesiophobia in Partial Rotator Cuff Tear

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Rotator Cuff Tears

• Registration Number: NCT06875895
• Lead Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of motor imagery training on pain, functionality, proprioception and kinesiophobia in patients with partial rotator cuff tears. Participants will be randomly assigned to traditional physiotherapy and motor imagery groups. Interventions will be performed with a physiotherapist for a total of 20 sessions for 4 weeks, 5 days a week. The intervention program will be determined by the Specialist Physical Therapy Physician. Data will be collected before the study, at the end of the training in the 4th week and at the 8th week (follow-up evaluation). Motor imagery ability will be assessed with the Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-R), pain will be assessed with the Numerical Assessment Scale for functionality with the DASH, proprioception will be assessed with the inclinometer and kinesiophobia will be assessed with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale.

Detailed Description

One of the most common pathologies related to the shoulder joint, which has a wide range of motion, is the tears of varying degrees in the rotator cuff muscles. The rotator cuff muscles consist of the dynamic stabilizers of the shoulder: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor muscles. Pathologies related to the rotator cuff can present as simple overuse, impingement syndrome, partial tear, full-thickness tear and, in the advanced stage of the tear, rotator cuff tear arthropathy. Such tears can usually occur due to injuries and traumas, degeneration due to aging, overuse or repetitive movements. The main symptoms of a partial rotator cuff tear are increased shoulder pain during overhead movements, limited movement, muscle weakness and loss of function. Partial rotator cuff tear is usually diagnosed with physical examination and imaging techniques such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), ultrasonography, and X-ray. The treatment approach varies depending on the size of the tear, the patient's symptoms, and lifestyle, and is divided into conservative treatments and surgical techniques. Motor imagery is the individual's conscious simulation of the movement without any motor output. Motor imagery contributes to the improvement of motor performance and the learning of new motor skills. Motor imagery is divided into two as visual and kinesthetic imagery. While visual imagery consists of visualizing the movement, kinesthetic imagery focuses on the position of the muscles and limbs and the somatic sensations created by their movement. Studies combining motor imagery with classical physiotherapy training show that it increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2025-01-16
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-09
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-13
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-05
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-09
• Primary Completion: 2025-08-03
• Study Completion: 2026-02-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• Partial rotator cuff tear diagnosis.
• Between the ages of 18-65
• Patients experiencing pain for at least 4 weeks.
• Having a valid score on the Mini Mental Test (>24)
• Those without a history of any neurological or serious psychological illness.
• Those who have not participated in a previous study on motor imagery training

Exclusion Criteria

• Complete rotator cuff tear or conditions requiring surgical intervention,
• Participants who have received treatment with corticosteroids by any means in the previous 6 months,
• Participants who have a rotator cuff tear due to acute traumatic conditions (proximal humerus fracture).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Standardized Mini Mental Test	a day before the rehabilitation	The Standardized Mini Mental Test is a short, efficient and standard method that can be preferred in determining the cognitive level of the individual. It is collected under five headings: orientation, recording memory, attention and calculation, recall and language. There are eleven items that individuals will answer. It is evaluated out of a total of 30 points. The threshold value was determined as 24 points in the Turkish validity and reliability study.
Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand	up to 8 weeks	Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand scale is a questionnaire developed to assess the musculoskeletal pathology of the upper extremity and the entire upper extremity in general. It consists of 30 questions that evaluate the degree of difficulty in performing different activities using the upper extremity in daily life in the last week (21 questions), symptoms consisting of pain, activity-related pain, numbness, joint stiffness and weakness (5 questions), and the effects of pathologies on social life, sleep, work and psychological status (4 questions). All questions have a 5-point Likert model (1: no difficulty, 2: mild difficulty, 3: moderate difficulty, 4: extreme difficulty, 5: completely unable to do). The Turkish version of the DASH Questionnaire was used.
Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale	up to 8 weeks	The Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale will be used. A 4-point Likert scale is used and the total score is 33. The higher a person's score on the scale, the greater their fear of movement.
Numerical Rating Scale	up to 8 weeks	Pain intensity will be measured using the Numerical Rating Scale. A decrease in the point indicates that the pain is decreasing.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-R)	up to 8 weeks	This is an 8-item self-report questionnaire in which participants rate the vividness of their mental representations using a 7-point scale (1 = very difficult to see/feel and 7 = very easy to see/feel). This test will be used to ensure that the sample does not include individuals with extremely high or low motor imagery ability

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kütahya Health Sciences University; 🇹🇷 Kütahya, Turkey