Study Design Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial using a repeated-measures design Objectives To determine the short-term clinical efficacy of Kinesio Tape (KT) when applied to college students with shoulder pain, as compared to a sham tape application Background Tape is commonly used as an adjunct for treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries A majority of tape applications that are reported in the literature involve non-stretch tape The KT method has gained significant popularity in recent years, but there is a paucity of evidence on its use Methods and Measures Forty-two subjects clinically diagnosed with rotator cuff tendonitis/impingement were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: therapeutic KT group or sham KT group Subjects wore the tape for 2 consecutive 3-day intervals Self-reported pain and disability and pain-free active range of motion (ROM) were measured at multiple intervals to assess for differences between groups Results The therapeutic KT group showed 

/pdf/the-clinical-efficacy-of-kinesio-tape-for-shoulder-pain-a-20vw3dv3xc.pdf

The clinical efficacy of kinesio tape for shoulder pain: a randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial.

The effects of taping on scapular kinematics and muscle performance in baseball players with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Kinesio(®) Tex tape (KTT) is used in a variety of clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of KTT from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the management of clinical conditions. A systematic literature search of CINAHL; MEDLINE; OVID; AMED; SCIENCE DIRECT; PEDRO; www.internurse.com; SPORT DISCUS; BRITISH NURSING INDEX; www.kinesiotaping.co.uk; www.kinesiotaping.com; COCHRANE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CLINICAL TRIALS; and PROQUEST was performed up to April 2012. The risk of bias and quality of evidence grading was performed using the Cochrane collaboration methodology. Eight RCTs met the full inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six of these included patients with musculoskeletal conditions; one included patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema; and one included stroke patients with muscle spasticity. Six studies included a sham or usual care tape/bandage group. There was limited to moderate evidence that KTT is no more clinically effective than sham or usual care tape/bandage. There was limited evidence from one moderate quality RCT that KTT in conjunction with physiotherapy was clinically beneficial for plantar fasciitis related pain in the short term; however, there are serious questions around the internal validity of this RCT. There currently exists insufficient evidence to support the use of KTT over other modalities in clinical practice.

https://www.researchgate.net/file.PostFileLoader.html?id=55b3f05060614b66d58b45bd&assetKey=AS%3A273819137183744%401442294977838

The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review

Study Design Random allocation of subjects into a placebo-controlled, crossover study. Objectives To investigate the effect of changing thoracic and scapular posture on shoulder flexion and scapular plane abduction range of motion in asymptomatic subjects, and in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome. Background Changes in upper body posture and concomitant imbalance of the muscle system have been proposed as one of the etiological mechanisms leading to subacromial impingement syndrome. Although clinicians commonly assess posture and devise rehabilitation programs to correct posture, there is little evidence to support this practice. Methods and Materials Selected postural, range of movement, and pain measurements were investigated in 60 asymptomatic subjects and 60 subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome, prior to and following thoracic and scapular taping intended to change their posture. Results Changing posture had an effect on all components of posture measured (P<.001) and these chan...

/pdf/subacromial-impingement-syndrome-the-effect-of-changing-2rc2ravic8.pdf

Subacromial impingement syndrome: the effect of changing posture on shoulder range of movement.

Elastic taping applied on the triceps surae has been commonly used to improve the performance of lower extremities. However, little objective evidence has been documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of elastic taping on the triceps surae during a maximal vertical jump. It was hypothesized that elastic taping to the triceps surae would increase muscle activity and cause positive effect to jump height. Thirty-one healthy adults (19 males and 12 females with mean age, body weight and height for 25.3 ± 3.8 years old, 64.1 ± 6.2 kg, and 169.4 ± 7.3 cm, respectively) were recruited. All participants performed vertical jump tests prior to (without taping) and during elastic taping. Two elastic tapes, Kinesio tape and Mplacebo tape from two different manufacturers, were applied to the participants, respectively. The results showed that the vertical ground reaction force increased when Kinesio tape was applied even when the height of jump remained about constant. However, the height of the jump decreased, and there was no difference on the vertical ground reaction force in Mplacebo taping group. Although the EMG activity of medial gastrocnemius tended to increase in Kinesio taping group, we did not see differences in EMG activity for the medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior and soleus muscles in either group. Based on the varied effects of Kinesio tape and Mplacebo tape, different intervention technique was suggested for specific purpose during vertical jump movement. Mplacebo tape was demanded for the benefits of stabilization, protection, and the restriction of motion at the ankle joint. On the other hand, the findings may implicate benefits for medial gastrocnemius muscle strength and push-off force when using Kinesio tape.

/pdf/effect-of-the-kinesio-tape-to-muscle-activity-and-vertical-3l8o7nr98c.pdf

Effect of the Kinesio tape to muscle activity and vertical jump performance in healthy inactive people.

The application of tape to the skin overlying the lower fibres of trapezius is generally thought to facilitate this muscle. However, this facilitation has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, the effect of tape upon trapezius motoneurone pool excitability was assessed using the trapezius H reflex. The amplitude of the H reflex was measured across four conditions: before tape application, with Endura Fix tape, with the addition of Endura Sports tape and finally with the tape removed. Instead of the expected facilitation of lower trapezius, this tape inhibited lower trapezius activity. On average, the application of Endura Fix tape inhibited trapezius by 4%. The application of Endura Sports tape overlaying the Endura Fix tape inhibited trapezius on average by 22%. This inhibition did not last once the tape was removed. This suggests that any change in shoulder girdle symptoms or movement, which occurs with the application of this particular tape is not explicable on the basis of the facilitation of the lower fibres of trapezius. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

S. Stynes

Papers

Original article: Does tape facilitate or inhibit the lower fibres of trapezius?