Effectiveness of Kinesiologic Taping and Dry Needling in the Treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome

NCT07190768 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-3
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two common physiotherapy methods, Kinesiologic Taping (KT) and Dry Needling (DN), in the treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS), a frequent cause of shoulder pain. The trial also investigates whether using KT and DN together provides greater benefits than using them separately. The main goal is to determine which treatment approach is more effective in reducing pain and improving shoulder function in patients with SAPS.

Conditions

Shoulder Pain; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Keywords

Kinesiologic taping; shoulder pain; dry needling

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS)

  Baseline, immediately after first treatment, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Shoulder function (Quick-DASH questionnaire)

  Baseline, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.

• Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK-19)

  Baseline, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.

Study Arms (4)

Kinesio Taping + Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Kinesio Taping; Behavioral: Exercise Program

Dry Needling + Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Dry Needling; Behavioral: Exercise Program

Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Kinesio Taping; Other: Dry Needling; Behavioral: Exercise Program

Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Exercise Program; Device: Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack)

Interventions

Kinesio Taping OTHER

Participants received Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the affected shoulder using standard 5-cm Kinesio Tex tape. Before application, an allergy test was performed by placing a small patch of tape on the contralateral forearm for 15 minutes. The taping procedure included three regions: supraspinatus muscle, deltoid muscle, and glenohumeral joint. Application technique: Supraspinatus: Y-strip applied from insertion on the greater tubercle along the muscle to its origin with 20-25% stretch. Deltoid: Y-strip applied from 3 cm below insertion to the origin, with anterior and posterior tails placed along corresponding edges. Glenohumeral joint: I-strip applied from the coracoid process, laterally under the acromion, around the posterior deltoid edge. Schedule: Tape was applied at baseline (Day 0), reapplied at Day 7, and removed permanently at Day 14.

Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise; Kinesio Taping + Exercise

Dry Needling OTHER

Participants received dry needling (DN) applied with sterile, disposable stainless-steel needles (0.30 mm × 50 mm). Target muscles included the supraspinatus, deltoideus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and pectoralis major. Technique: The "fast-in, fast-out" method (Hong technique) was used. After cleaning the skin with alcohol, the needle was inserted into a palpable taut band until the first local twitch response (LTR) was elicited. The needle was moved vertically (5-10 mm) at \~1 Hz for 25-30 seconds. DN was applied for 45-60 seconds per muscle. Schedule: Twice per week, for 3 weeks (total of 6 sessions).

Dry Needling + Exercise; Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise

Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

All participants were instructed in a standardized home-based exercise program designed to improve shoulder mobility and stability. Content: Exercises included active range-of-motion movements, scapular stabilization, and strengthening of rotator cuff and periscapular muscles. Ergonomic advice and posture correction were also provided. Delivery: Participants were taught the program in person and instructed to perform the exercises at home. Schedule: Exercises were performed daily for 3 weeks, in addition to the assigned intervention for each study arm.

Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control); Dry Needling + Exercise; Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise; Kinesio Taping + Exercise

Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack) DEVICE

Participants in this arm received conventional physical therapy modalities commonly used for the management of subacromial pain syndrome. Modalities: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, or superficial heat pack were applied based on standard clinical practice. Additional care: Sessions also included passive mobilization of the shoulder into end range, scapular stabilization exercises, and ergonomic/postural advice. Schedule: One-hour treatment sessions, 5 days per week, for 3 consecutive weeks.

Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-65 years
• Pain in the upper, outer arm, especially during shoulder elevation
• Shoulder pain lasting more than 6 weeks with or without partial rotator cuff tear
• At least three of the following findings:
• Painful arc during flexion or abduction
• Positive Neer test
• Positive Hawkins-Kennedy test
• Painful resisted external rotation
• Positive Jobe's test
• Diagnosis confirmed by MRI evaluation when indicated

You may not qualify if:

• Participation in a physical therapy program or receipt of injection therapy within the past 3 months
• Previous shoulder surgery
• Presence of joint contracture
• Complete tendon rupture
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Systemic inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
• Known allergy to tape or materials used in interventions
• Bleeding disorders
• Local infection or open wound in the treatment area
• Cognitive dysfunction that prevents cooperation
• History of malignancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bursa City Hospital: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Interventions

Dry Needling; Resistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthralgia; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Shoulder Injuries; Wounds and Injuries

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Erkan Kaya, Associate Prof.

CONTACT

+905056719830; doktorerkankaya@yahoo.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2025
• First Posted: September 24, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: September 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09