Immediate effects of Kinesio taping on pain, proprioception, and posture in round shoulder individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized, double-blinded controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Round shoulder posture (RSP), characterized by forward shoulder positioning from weakened and tense muscles, disrupts normal biomechanics and can cause Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), resulting in pain during specific movements or positions. This study examines the immediate effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on pain, proprioception, and posture in individuals in round shoulder individuals with SIS. Methods: The study involved 114 patients diagnosed with RSP and SIS. Pain intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), proprioception was measured with an inclinometer, and posture was evaluated using The New York Posture Rating Chart (NYPRC). Participants were randomly assigned to experimental group (EG) (n = 57), which received KT application, or to sham group (SG) (n = 57), which underwent a sham procedure. KT was applied to the affected shoulder and scapular regions. Assessments were conducted both before and after the application of Kinesio tape. Results: According to the study results, the differences in VAS scores (P = .002), proprioception abduction (P = .023) and NYPRC scores (P = .04), were statistically significant in the EG compared to the SG (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference in proprioception flexion between the groups (P > .05). Conclusion: KT demonstrates immediate benefits in reducing pain and improving scapular alignment in individuals with RSP and chronic shoulder pain. These findings underscore its potential effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for managing symptoms associated with RSP and impingement syndrome, particularly in terms of pain relief and posture enhancement.