Mind over shoulder: mental imagery may ease Post-Mastectomy pain

NCT ID NCT07240129

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested a technique called graded motor imagery to help women with chronic shoulder pain after mastectomy. The approach uses left/right judgment tasks, imagined movements, and mirror therapy to retrain the brain's perception of the shoulder. Fifty-four women participated, and the researchers measured pain and range of motion before and after six weeks of treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

graded motor imagery (a sequence of mental and mirror exercises)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to reduce chronic shoulder pain and improve arm movement after mastectomy.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed trial with only 54 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The exercises require active participation and may not help all types of shoulder problems.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cairo University

    Giza, Egypt