Kinesiology taping does not alter shoulder strength, shoulder proprioception, or scapular kinematics in healthy, physically active subjects and subjects with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

Karen A Keenan, Jonathan S Akins, Michelle Varnell, John Abt, Mita Lovalekar, Scott Lephart, Timothy C Sell

Journal: Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine 2017;24():60-66

PMID: 27665392

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of kinesiology tape (KT) on shoulder strength, proprioception, and scapular kinematics in healthy and Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SAIS) subjects.

DESIGN

Placebo-controlled quasi-experimental study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 30 physically active subjects participated. Ten healthy subjects with no previous history of shoulder pathology received KT on the dominant shoulder. Twenty subjects with shoulder pain for a minimum of two weeks and presenting with clinical signs of impingement were allotted to receive KT (n = 10) or placebo taping (PT, n = 10) on the involved shoulder.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All participants were tested pre- and post-application. Shoulder internal/external rotation (IR/ER) strength was assessed with isokinetic dynamometry (average peak torque/body weight). Shoulder IR/ER proprioception was assessed through threshold to detect passive motion (mean absolute error in degrees). Scapular position at 90° and 120° of shoulder abduction during arm raising/lowering were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system.

RESULTS

No significant within group or between group differences were demonstrated for any measure.

CONCLUSIONS

Taping does not appear to aid/impair shoulder strength, shoulder proprioception, or scapular kinematics. Future research should explore if the effects of KT are time-dependent and similar in other pathologies.

Address: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, USA.; Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, Salem State University, Salem, MA 01970, USA.; Sports Medicine Research Center, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Charles T. Wethington, Jr. Building, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.; Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA.; Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory, Duke University, DUMC 102916, Durham, NC 27705, USA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2016.06.006

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Athletic Tape, Biomechanical Phenomena, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle Strength, Muscle, Skeletal, Proprioception, Range of Motion, Articular, Scapula, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome