Effect of kinesio tape applied to supraspinatus muscle on shoulder scaption strength and upper extremity stability in healthy women aged 20 to 30 years: a double blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the effect of kinesio tape applied to the supraspinatus muscle on shoulder scaption muscle strength and upper extremity stability in healthy women. Methods. 26 healthy female volunteers aged 20-30 years were included in the study. Individuals were randomized into two groups, kinesio taping (n = 13) and sham taping (n = 13). In the kinesio taping group a Y-shaped tape was applied to the supraspinatus muscle in the direction of facilitation while in the sham group an I tape was applied on the scapula. Before taping and 20 minutes after taping the shoulder scaption strength was measured with a dynamometer and functional evaluations were performed by the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test. Results. In the kinesio tape group, median scaption strength decreased after taping (p = 0.016). The median contact, normalized, and power scores increased significantly (respectively, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001). In the sham group there was no significant difference in the median scaption strength after taping; the median contact, normalized and power scores increased significantly (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, and p = 0.006, respectively). There was no significant difference in scaption strength and upper extremity stability test scores between groups. After taping the changes were categorized as "no change", "increase" and "decrease" according to the minimal clinically significant difference value, the number of individuals with increased scaption strength was higher in the kinesio tape group compared to the sham group, although not statistically significant. Conclusions. The significance of kinesio taping applied to healthy women was not observed compared to sham taping on shoulder scaption muscle strength and upper extremity stability.