NCT02881021

Brief Summary

Introduction: Rotator cuff tendinopathy (RCTe) is the most frequent cause of shoulder pain, resulting in considerable losses to society and public resources. Muscle imbalance and inadequate sensorimotor control are deficits often associated with RCTe. Kinesiotaping (KT) is widely used by clinicians for rehabilitation of RCTe. While previous studies have examined the immediate effects of KT on shoulder injuries or the effects of KT as an isolated method of treatment, no published study has addressed its mid- and long-term effects when combined to a rehabilitation program for patients with RCTe. The primary objective of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be to assess the efficacy of therapeutic KT, added to a rehabilitation program, in reducing pain and disabilities in individuals with RCTe. Secondary objectives will look at the effects of KT on the underlying factors involved in shoulder control, such as muscular activity, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and range of motion (ROM). Methods and analysis: A single-blind RCT will be conducted. Fifty-two participants, randomly allocated to one of two groups (KT or no-KT), will take part in a 6-week rehabilitation program. The KT-group will receive KT added to the rehabilitation program, whereas the no-KT group will receive only the rehabilitation program. Measurements will be taken at baseline, week-3, week-6, week-12 and 6-month. Primary outcomes will be symptoms and functional limitations assessed by the DASH questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will include shoulder ROM, AHD at rest and at 60º of abduction, and muscle activation during arm elevation. The added effects of KT will be assessed through a 2-way ANOVA for repeated measures. Discussion: Investigations with a high level of evidence are needed to determine scientific evidence-based concerning the efficacy of KT for the rehabilitation of individuals with RCTe. This RCT will be the first to assess the effectiveness of KT added into a conventional RP for patients with RCTe, addressing underlying factors that could explain the possible benefits of this method, in a mid- and long-term. Results may contribute to build solid evidence on the addition of KT in a physiotherapy intervention for this population. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Quebec Rehabilitation Institute (IRDPQ) of the CIUSS-CN. Results of this protocol will be disseminated through international publications in peer-reviewed journals, in addition to international conference presentations.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
52

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2016

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 12, 2016

Completed
14 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 26, 2016

Completed
6 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2016

Completed
1.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 30, 2017

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 27, 2018

Completed
Last Updated

March 1, 2019

Status Verified

February 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

1.2 years

First QC Date

August 12, 2016

Last Update Submit

February 27, 2019

Conditions

Keywords

elastic tapekinesiology tapingphysiotherapyrotator cuffshoulder paintendon injuries

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Functional Limitations (changes during treatment; from baseline to 6 months follow-up).

    Functional limitations will be measured throughout treatment using "The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)". The DASH is a 30-item self-report questionnaire, designed to measure physical disability and symptoms of upper limbs disorders. A validated Canadian-French version will be used (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.93; standardized response mean (SRM)=1.35; minimal detectable change (MDC)=11.4 points; clinically important difference (CID)=10 points)

    Week-0 (baseline), week-3 (mid-point of the treatment), week-6 (end of treatment), week-12 (mid-term follow-up), 6-month (long-term follow-up).

  • Symptoms (pain intensity; changes during treatment; from baseline to 6 months follow-up).

    Since DASH has few questions related to pain, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), which is specific for assessing clinical pain, will also be added to assess changes during treatment. The BPI measures pain intensity on an 11-point numerical rating scale (0-10), according to it interference with sleep, mood, etc., during the last 24 hours (ICC \>0.80). Only the 4 first questions, related to clinical pain, will be used.

    Week-0 (baseline), week-3 (mid-point of the treatment), week-6 (end of treatment), week-12 (mid-term follow-up), 6-month (long-term follow-up).

  • Symptoms (shoulder disabilities; changes during treatment; from baseline to 6 months follow-up).

    Because DASH is non-specific for shoulder, the "Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC)" index will be added to assess changes at shoulder disabilities throughout treatment. The WORC is a reliable and responsive (ICC=0.96; SRM=1.54; MDC=12 points; CID=13 points) questionnaire designed to measure health-related-quality-of-life of patients affected by RC injuries.

    Week-0 (baseline), week-3 (mid-point of the treatment), week-6 (end of treatment), week-12 (mid-term follow-up), 6-month (long-term follow-up).

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Range of Motion

    Week-0 (baseline), week-6 (end of treatment).

  • Acromiohumeral distance

    Week-0 (baseline), week-6 (end of treatment).

  • Maximal electromyographic (EMG) amplitude

    Week-0 (baseline), week-6 (end of treatment).

  • Mean peak EMG amplitude

    Week-0 (baseline), week-6 (end of treatment).

  • Onset timing

    Week-0 (baseline), week-6 (end of treatment).

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Global Rating of Change

    Week-6 (end of treatment).

Study Arms (2)

Rehabilitation program and kinesiotaping.

EXPERIMENTAL

Each patient will attend 10 physiotherapy sessions over six. Patients from the Experimental group (KT group) will receive the same standardized rehabilitation program as control group (No-KT group) including manual therapy, movement training, stretching, muscular strengthening, and patient education. Only KT-group (experimental) will receive therapeutic KT added to the rehabilitation program. Kinesio® Tex Classic will be applied using a combination of techniques designed for RCTe and underlying symptoms following the instructions and principles described by Kase et al (2003). Kinesiotaping strips will be weaned gradually, according to the individual improvements of deficits evaluated weekly by the physiotherapist treating.

Other: Rehabilitation programDevice: Kinesiotaping

Rehabilitation program.

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Each patient will attend 10 physiotherapy sessions over six. Patients allocated at the control group (No-KT group) will receive only the rehabilitation program, including manual therapy, movement training, stretching, muscular strengthening, and patient education. The rehabilitation program will be exactly the same applied to the experimental group (KT group).

Other: Rehabilitation program

Interventions

Standardized conventional evidence-based physiotherapy for treating rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Rehabilitation program and kinesiotaping.Rehabilitation program.

Combined Kinesiotaping techniques (3 strips) for rotator cuff tendinopathy, following the principles of Kenzo Kase et al. (2003).

Also known as: Kinesio Tex Classic, Elastic tape, bandage, taping, Kinesio Tape, Kinesiology tape, Kinesiotape
Rehabilitation program and kinesiotaping.

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • To be eligible, participants should have unilateral rotator cuff tendinopathy and to present one positive finding in each of the following categories:
  • Painful arc of movement during flexion or abduction;
  • Neer (sensitivity 0.78, specificity 0.58) or Kennedy-Hawkins impingement signs (sensitivity 0.74, specificity 0.57);
  • Pain on resisted external rotation, abduction or empty can test (sensitivity 0.69, specificity 0.62).

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients will be excluded if they have:
  • an open wound that compromises KT application;
  • had a previous shoulder surgery;
  • allergy or intolerance to KT;
  • adhesive capsulitis, defined as loss of passive shoulder ROM greater than 50%;
  • history of glenohumeral luxation or fracture to the shoulder girdle;
  • shoulder pain reproduced by cervical movements;
  • clinical signs of full-thickness RC tears identified by lag signs tests (drop, internal, and external rotation signs).

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration Research (CIRRIS)

Québec, Quebec, G1M2S8, Canada

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • de Oliveira FCL, Pairot de Fontenay B, Bouyer LJ, Desmeules F, Roy JS. Kinesiotaping for the Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Sports Health. 2021 Mar;13(2):161-172. doi: 10.1177/1941738120944254. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

  • de Oliveira FCL, Pairot de Fontenay B, Bouyer LJ, Desmeules F, Roy JS. Effects of kinesiotaping added to a rehabilitation programme for patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy: protocol for a single-blind, randomised controlled trial addressing symptoms, functional limitations and underlying deficits. BMJ Open. 2017 Sep 24;7(9):e017951. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017951.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder PainTendon Injuries

Interventions

RehabilitationBandagesAthletic Tape

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

ArthralgiaJoint DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesPainNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsWounds and Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

AftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsHealth ServicesHealth Care Facilities Workforce and ServicesEquipment and SuppliesOrthotic DevicesOrthopedic EquipmentSurgical Equipment

Study Officials

  • Jean-Sébastien Roy, PT, PhD

    Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), CIUSSS-CN

    STUDY DIRECTOR
  • Fábio C L de Oliveira, PT, MSc

    Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), CIUSSS-CN

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
PT, MSc

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 12, 2016

First Posted

August 26, 2016

Study Start

September 1, 2016

Primary Completion

November 30, 2017

Study Completion

April 27, 2018

Last Updated

March 1, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-02

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations