LITERATURE REVIEW

application of KT. Positive results in pain, soft tissue

flexibility, muscle activation and strength echo findings from trials featuring healthy individuals (4–6), suggesting that KT may offer some relief from the symptoms of PFPS, particularly in the short term.

Shoulder Impingement Table 2 summarises the results for the use of KT in shoulder impingement (SI). The first study (11) adopted a pre- test and post-test model, comparing KT to sham tape applied across the lower trapezius of a small group (n=17) of symptomatic baseball players. Scapular movement improved in both groups, as did activation of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior but the KT group also showed improvements in activity and strength of the lower fibres of trapezius. The unorthodox taping protocol used in this study alongside the rather narrow population studied, who have specific loads on their shoulder complex, make this study perhaps less relevant when looking at a broader application of KT for shoulder pain. The two remaining studies (12,13)

investigated the effects of KT on pain and disability, with a similar taping protocol across supraspinatus, deltoid

POSITIVE OUTCOME OF KINESIO TAPING

A REDUCTION IN THE THICKNESS OF PLANTAR FASCIA OF OVER 16% IS A CLEAR

and teres minor muscles. The first (12) compared KT (applied

every three days, along with guided home exercises) to a daily programme of ultrasound, TENS, heat pack and home exercise. Pain levels at the end of the two-week trial were similar in both groups but the KT group improved faster with significant differences at

the end of week one. Disability scores were more improved in the KT group at the end of the trial (a drop from 57.5 to 18 compared with a drop from 56 to 31 on the DASH 100-point score). The final study (13) compared KT to sham tape over a six-day period. By the end of the trial, both groups achieved similar results for improvement

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF RESULTS FROM SELECTED PAPERS INVESTIGATING SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT (SI). Study

Hsu et al., 2009 (11)

Participants n=17*

Outcomes measured

1. Shoulder kinematics 2. Muscle activity 3. Muscle strength

Experimental group

KT to lower trapezius (n=17)

Control group

Identical taping but with non-flexible 3M tape (n=17)

Summary of results

n Improved scapular posterior tilt at 30-60° in both groups

n Increased lower trapezius activity at 60- 30° in KT group

n Decreased activity in same range in control group

n Increase in serratus anterior and upper trapezius activity in both

n Increase in strength of lower trapezius in KT group

Kaya et al., 2010 (12)

Thelen et al., 2008 (13)

n=55

1. Pain 2. Disability

n=42

1. Pain 2. Disability 3. Range of movement (ROM)

KT over supraspinatus, deltoid and teres minor + home exercise program (n=30)

KT over supraspinatus and deltoid and across coracoid process (n=21)

Ultrasound, TENS, heat pack and exercise daily + home exercise program (n=25)

KT applied with no tension in non- therapeutic areas (n=21)

n Pain improved equally by end of trial but improvement was initially faster in KT group

n Disability scores lower in KT group than control group at end of trial

n Immediate improvement in ROM in KT group but similar improvement in both groups at end of trial

n No significant improvements to pain or disability in either group

*All subjects received both the kinesio taping and the placebo taping (3M Micropore tape) over the lower trapezius muscle. www.sportEX.net 27