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Effects of Different Kinesio Taping Methods in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Sponsor: Pamukkale University
Summary
This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of two different kinesio taping techniques on pain, shoulder function, acromiohumeral distance, and shoulder proprioception in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. A total of 72 patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome will be randomly assigned to three groups: (1) conventional shoulder kinesio taping combined with therapeutic exercise, (2) scapular kinesio taping combined with therapeutic exercise, and (3) therapeutic exercise alone (control group). All participants will receive the same supervised therapeutic exercise program three times per week for eight weeks, totaling 24 sessions. Participants in the two kinesio taping groups will additionally receive their respective taping interventions three times per week for eight weeks. Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after eight weeks of treatment by an assessor blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome will be acromiohumeral distance measured by ultrasonography at 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), health-related quality of life assessed using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), and shoulder proprioception assessed using an active joint repositioning test. The study aims to determine whether adding kinesio taping to therapeutic exercise provides additional benefits and whether the effects differ between conventional shoulder and scapular taping techniques.
Official title: Effects of Different Kinesio Taping Methods on Pain, Function, Subacromial Distance, and Proprioception in Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
72
Start Date
2026-10-26
Completion Date
2027-10-26
Last Updated
2026-10-23
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Conventional Kinesio Taping
Conventional shoulder kinesio taping will be applied to the symptomatic shoulder using a three-strip technique based on Kase principles and the protocol described by Oliveira et al. A 5-cm-wide elastic kinesiology tape will be used. The first Y-shaped strip will be applied around the deltoid muscle from insertion to origin with 15-25% tension. The second I-shaped strip will be applied from approximately 7-10 cm above the acromioclavicular joint to approximately 7-10 cm below the deltoid tuberosity with 50-75% tension. The third I-shaped strip will be applied from the coracoid process toward the posterior deltoid with 50-75% tension for mechanical correction. Taping will be performed three times weekly for eight weeks (24 applications), after each supervised exercise session. The tape will remain in place for 24 hours. Participants will also receive the standardized therapeutic exercise program.
Scapular Kinesio Taping
Scapular kinesio taping will be applied according to the technique described by Harput et al. A 5-cm-wide elastic kinesiology tape will be used. Participants will be seated upright during application. The first I-shaped strip will be applied vertically along the medial border of the scapula with 75% tension while the participant actively performs scapular retraction. The second I-shaped strip will be applied diagonally from the anterior aspect of the humeral head toward the inferior border of the scapula with 75% tension while the participant actively performs scapular posterior tilt. Taping will be performed three times weekly for eight weeks (24 applications), after each supervised exercise session. The tape will remain in place for 24 hours. Participants will also receive the same standardized therapeutic exercise program.
Therapeutic Exercise Program
All participants will receive the same hospital-based supervised therapeutic exercise program based on Letafatkar et al., three times weekly for eight weeks (24 sessions). The program includes three stretching and three strengthening exercises. Stretching targets the upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, and posterior shoulder structures. Each stretch is held for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest, and repeated three times. Strengthening includes shoulder external rotation (rotator cuff), shoulder extension (lower trapezius), and shoulder protraction (serratus anterior). Each strengthening exercise consists of 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest between sets. Elastic resistance bands will be progressed from red to green and black. All exercises will be performed within the maximum pain-free range of motion.
Locations (1)
Pamukkale University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Denizli, Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye)