Kinesiotaping for the Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff–Related Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Kinesiotaping (KT) has been widely used in clinical practice. Current evidence is insufficient to support the use of KT for treating rotator cuff–related shoulder pain (RCRSP), as its mid- and long-term effects have not been investigated. Hypotheses: Individuals using KT will achieve faster improvements in symptoms and functional limitations compared with those not using it. They will also present a greater increase in pain-free range of motion (ROM) and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) at the end of the treatment. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (NCT02881021). Level of evidence: Therapy, level 1b. Methods: A total of 52 individuals with RCRSP, randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (experimental: KT; control: no-KT), underwent a 6-week rehabilitation program composed of 10 physical therapy sessions. KT was added to the treatment of the KT group. Symptoms and functional limitations were assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire (primary outcome); Brief Pain Inventory (BPI); and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months. AHD, pain-free ROM, and full ROM were measured at baseline and at week 6. The effects of KT were assessed using a nonparametric analysis for longitudinal data. Results: No significant group × time interactions (0.112 ≤ P ≤ 0.726) were found for all outcomes. Time effects were observed as both groups showed significant improvements for all studied outcomes (DASH, BPI, and WORC, p < 0.0001; AHD, p = 0.017; pain-free ROM, p < 0.0001; and full ROM abduction, p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: Whereas symptoms, functional limitations, ROM, and AHD improved in both groups, the addition of KT did not lead to superior outcomes compared with exercise-based treatment alone, in the mid and long term, for individuals with RCRSP. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should not expect supplementary mid- or long-term gains with KT to reduce pain, improve shoulder function and ROM, or increase AHD if a rehabilitation program focusing on shoulder neuromuscular control is concurrently provided as treatment for individuals with RCRSP.

Group-based exercice training programs for military members presenting musculoskeletal disorders – protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

“…Based on our sample size calculation, calculated for our primary outcome (Pain Interference subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory) using data from a pilot study on military members with MSKd [ 33 ], 15 participants per diagnosis will be required per group for a total of 120 participants (60 participants/group) (G*Power 3.1.7; α = 0.05, 1-β = 0.95, Baseline mean: 2.9+/− 1.5 points, Follow-up mean: 0.8+/− 1.2 points, expected lost at follow-up = 15% [based on past experiences with this population]. This number will enable us to determine the effects of the interventions for each of the four conditions.…”

Effectiveness of kinesiotaping in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A systematic review with meta‐analysis

“…A total of 109 studies were found through the electronic searches. Finally, 16 studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in the SR. 12,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] The kappa agreement rate between reviewers was 0.91. The value represents only the 2% (approximately three studies) of discrepancy.…”

“…For the overall risk of bias, 52.9% of the clinical trials were rated as high risk of bias, 12,33,35,37,38,[40][41][42][43] 41.2% were rated as some concerns, [30][31][32]34,36,39 and 5.9% were rated as low risk of bias. 29 In the randomization process, 52.9% of the clinical trials were rated as high risk of bias. 12,32,33,35,37,[40][41][42] For the missing outcome data, 94.1% of the clinical trials were rated as low risk of bias.…”

“…12,32,33,35,37,[40][41][42] For the missing outcome data, 94.1% of the clinical trials were rated as low risk of bias. 12,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]43 Finally, for the selection of the reported result, 76.5% of the clinical trials were rated as some concerns. 12,30-41…”

Co-creation of an exercise inventory to improve scapular stabilization and control among individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: a survey-based study amongst physiotherapists

“…Weakness or dysfunction of any RC or ST muscles may generate muscle imbalance which, in turn, may compromise kinematics and alter shoulder function [ 1 , 8 – 12 ]. Conservative rehabilitation programs, which commonly include strengthening and motor control exercises targeting RC (supraspinatus [SS], infraspinatus [IS]) and/or ST (upper trapezius [UT], middle trapezius [MT], lower trapezius [LT], serratus anterior [SA]) muscles, are known to be effective in reducing RCRSP-associated deficits and optimizing shoulder function [ 3 , 13 – 18 ].…”