Mind over muscle: imagining exercise eases shoulder pain

This study looks at whether motor imagery training — mentally practicing movements without actually moving — can reduce pain, improve shoulder function, and lessen fear of movement in people with partial rotator cuff tears. About 80 adults will be randomly assigned to either standard physical therapy or standard therapy plus motor imagery training for 4 weeks. Researchers will measure pain, arm function, and movement fear before, after, and at an 8-week follow-up.