Kinesio tape and its effects on internal and external range of motion of the shoulder

Abstract

The primary objective to this study was to determine the effects of kinesio tape (KT) on shoulder ROM arc pre and post KT treatment. The experimental design consisted of a pretest-posttest randomized-group. Independent variables were treatments with two levels: no KT and KT. Dependent variables were shoulder internal and external rotation. Shoulder internal and external rotation was measured with a digital inclinometer on 45 healthy subjects (control group = 22, KT group = 23), while perceptions of participation and KT efficacy was measured with an electronic post-experiment questionnaire. Results showed no significant differences between control and KT treatment groups for shoulder ROM arc pre and post intervention. Significant differences were identified between females (x=125°) and males (x=115°) within each group on day 4 pre tape removal. Overall, females displayed a significant increase in ROM arc with KT after 4 days of treatment, and returned to baseline arc upon tape removal.