A Triple Application of Kinesio Taping Supports Rehabilitation Program for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background. Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RoCT) is a common pathology among adults. Kinesio-taping (KT) represents a possible rehabilitative treatment. The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of a combination of three different applications of KT combined with a standardized protocol of rehabilitative exercises in reducing pain and in functional recovery in patients affected by RoCT. Materials and methods. 21 patients were enrolled in a real group (RG) and 19 in a sham group (SG). RG received a real KT application and SG received a sham KT application. Both groups received the same rehabilitative protocol. A Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for shoulder pain, Medical Research Council (MRC) Scales for shoulder strength assessment and Costant Murley Score (CMS) were administered before (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1). Results. Within-group analysis for RG at T1 showed significant improvement in: NRS at-rest (p=0.002), during-movement (p<0.001); CMS (p<0.001); MRC shoulder flexion (p=0.003), extension (p=0.005), abduction (p=0.003), adduction (p=0.007), external rotation (p=0.011), internal rotation (p=0.002), elbow flexion (p=0.008) and extension strength (p=0.011). Within-group analysis for SG at T1 showed significant improvement in: during-movement NRS (p=0.010); CMS (p<0.001). Conclusions. 1. KT application combined with conventional rehabilitative treatment can facilitate immediate pain reduction during rehabilitative treatment. 2. KT application combined with conventional rehabilitative treatment can increase function recovery. 3. KT application combined with conventional rehabilitative treatment can increase strength recovery. 4. Our findings however are not strong enough to recommend the application of KT during rehabilitative treatment for RoCT. 5. These results are the basis for future prospective, randomized controlled trials of larger samples of patients

Kinesio Tape In Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized, Blind Clinical Trial

“…Both groups performed the same exercises protocol. The authors observed that KT can facilitate the immediate reduction of pain during rehabilitation, probably due to the mechanism of the pain gate, which KT produces sensory stimulus, which reduces the nociceptive signal (35). Similarly, Aguilar-Ferrandiz et al (36) investigated the effect of KT and placebo KT application in women with chronic venous insufficiency.…”

“…In contrast, EG did not improve any of the movements. The improvement in muscle strength, most significant in the KT group, can be justified by the action of KT in facilitating muscle activity and in the immediate increase of muscle strength, which may be due to concentric traction of the fascia (35). In a crossover study, Hsu et al (41).…”

“…Therefore, therapeutic taping can improve neuromotor control of the scapular muscles for better control of the scapula and preserve the subacromial space during abduction of the arm (42). Even if there is some clinical efficacy of applying adhesive tape, there is insufficient evidence of rehabilitation benefits to strongly recommend the application of KT in isolation (35).Other studies that investigate the effect of KT in the treatment of other joints, such as the knee, confirm that KT can support rehabilitation therapy. However, there are no significant effects in terms of recovery (35).…”

Effectiveness of kinesio taping in bicipital tendinitis treatment: A randomized controlled trial

“…It is thought that KT provides this healing effect by providing biomechanical correction in the joint, increasing neurological activation in muscles, decreasing wrong positioning and mechanical stress [19]. Miccinilli et al reported that the KT applied to patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy decreases pain, increases functional recovery and muscle strength, but there is not enough evidence for KT application, and randomized controlled studies with larger groups are needed [24]. Among the limitations of the study, the first is that the diagnosis of biceps tendinitis cannot be made using arthroscopic method.…”

Taping for conditions of the musculoskeletal system: an evidence map review

“…There were nineteen RCTs investigating taping strategies for the treatment of SIS (Appendix 2 File: Appendix 2D). Three RCTs investigated rigid taping [96][97][98], fifteen RCTs investigated KT [99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113] and one RCT investigated Mulligan taping [114]. No study investigated Mc-T for SIS.…”