Short-term effects of high-intensity laser therapy, manual therapy, and Kinesio taping in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome

Abstract

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a major contributing factor of shoulder pain; and treatment approaches (Kinesio® taping [KT], Exercise [EX], manual therapy [MT], and high-intensity laser therapy [HILT]) have been developed to treat the pain. The key objective of this study was to compare the effects of KT, MT, and HILT on the pain, the range of motion (ROM), and the functioning in patients with SAIS. Seventy patients with SAIS were randomly divided into four groups based on the treatment(s) each group received [EX (n = 15), KT + EX (n = 20), MT + KT + EX (n = 16), and MT + KT + HILT + EX (n = 19)]. All the patients were assessed before and at the end of the treatment (15th day). The main outcome assessments included the evaluation of severity of pain by visual analogue scale (VAS) and shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation ROM measurements by a universal goniometry. Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) was used to measure pain and disability associated with shoulder pathology. Statistically significant differences were found in the treatment results of all parameters in MT + KT + EX and HILT + MT + KT + EX groups (p < 0.05). When the means of ROM and SPADI results of three groups were compared, statistically significant differences were found between all the groups (p < 0.05). These differences were significant especially between the groups MT + KT + EX and KT + EX (p < 0.05) and HILT + MT + KT + EX and KT + EX (p < 0.05). HILT and MT were found to be more effective in minimizing pain and disability and increasing ROM in patients with SAIS. Further studies with follow-up periods are required to determine the advantages of these treatments conclusively.

The Beneficial Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy and Co-Interventions on Musculoskeletal Pain Management: A Systematic Review

“…25,26 Finally, 19 studies (HILT: 11, +other interventions: 8) were included for qualitative and quantitative assessment. [11][12][13][15][16][17]19,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] The characteristics of all studies in two groups are listed in Table 1.…”

“…2,[6][7][8][9][10] Also, application techniques, the time of treatment and the cost of the device are different between these two generations of the laser therapy. [11][12][13] A recent systematic review indicated that HILT is effective in reducing musculoskeletal pain. 14 Adding therapeutic interventions to laser therapy is usual in clinical practice.…”

Effects of Move Kinetic Taping in Rehabilitation of Shoulder Abduction Dysfunction Syndrome

“…Kinesiotaping might serve as a method of management in shoulder impingement syndrome [1]. Kinesio taping was found to be effective on pain and function [2,3] kinesio taping seems to be better tolerated in the management of shoulder impingement and plays major role in conservative management [4,5]. Kinesio-Tape could provide a short-term alternative for patients with higher levels of kinesiophobia by decreasing fear and aiding in the patient's return to pre-injury levels of function and Kinesio-Tape may reduce pain in patients with musculoskeletal pain [6].…”

Recommendations of the Polish Society of Physiotherapy, Polish Society of Family Medicine and the College of Family Physicians in Poland in the scope of physiotherapy in the painful shoulder syndrome in primary healthcare

“…it follows from the prepared literature review that tEns demonstrates poor evidence for effectiveness of pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia and is much less effective than electroanalgesia in the form of electro-acupuncture (Ea) or percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (pEns) [87]. as regards laser light therapy, what has been indicated has been a higher effectiveness in elimination of pain through the use of Hilt in comparison with lllt in the treatment of rotator cuff pain (pain and disability minimization, improvement of movement range) [87,88] and in muscle and fascia pain of the trapezius dorsi muscle [89]. a short-term painkilling effect using Hilt was confirmed in patients treated for subacromial conflict, frozen shoulder or inflammation of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.…”