Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping in Rotator Cuff Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07578168 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: KAEU-T.ATAHAN-013
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The first objective of this study is to evaluate the immediate effect of kinesio taping on pain levels in individuals with rotator cuff syndrome. The second objective is to evaluate the immediate effect of kinesio taping on range of motion. The third objective is to evaluate the immediate effect of kinesio taping on proprioception levels. The fourth objective is to evaluate the immediate effect of kinesio taping on kinesiophobia levels.

Conditions

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Keywords

Kinesiology Taping; Rotator Cuff Syndrome; Shoulder Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Visual Analog Scale

  Shoulder pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Pain will be evaluated at rest, during activity, and at night.

  Baseline and 30 minutes after intervention

• Shoulder range of motion

  Shoulder joint range of motion (flexion, extension, internal rotation, and external rotation) will be measured using a universal goniometer.

  Baseline and 30 minutes after intervention

• Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale

  Kinesiophobia will be measured using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, a 17-item questionnaire scored on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating greater fear of movement.

  Baseline and 30 minutes after intervention

• Laser-Pointer Assisted Angle Reproduction Test

  Proprioception will be assessed using a laser pointer-assisted angle reproduction test at predefined shoulder positions (55°, 90°, 125°). Angular deviation will be recorded in degrees.

  Baseline and 30 minutes after intervention

Study Arms (2)

Kinesiology taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Elastic kinesiology tape (Kinesio Tape Tex Gold, 5 cm width) will be applied to the shoulder region. A Y-shaped strip will be placed over the anterior and posterior deltoid muscles with 10-15% tension during shoulder positioning in external rotation and abduction/adduction. An additional I-shaped strip will be applied over the acromioclavicular joint for mechanical correction. Application will be performed by a trained physiotherapist.

Other: Kinesiology taping

Placebo Taping Group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive sham taping using the same elastic kinesiology tape (Kinesio Tape Tex Gold, 5 cm) applied without therapeutic tension or mechanical correction. The tape will be placed superficially over the shoulder region to mimic the application procedure without intending to produce biomechanical or neurosensory effects.

Other: Placebo Taping Group

Interventions

Placebo Taping Group OTHER

Participants in this group will receive sham taping using the same elastic kinesiology tape (Kinesio Tape Tex Gold, 5 cm) applied without therapeutic tension or mechanical correction. The tape will be placed superficially over the shoulder region to mimic the application procedure without intending to produce biomechanical or neurosensory effects.

Placebo Taping Group

Kinesiology taping OTHER

Elastic kinesiology tape (Kinesio Tape Tex Gold, 5 cm width) will be applied to the shoulder region. A Y-shaped strip will be placed over the anterior and posterior deltoid muscles with 10-15% tension during shoulder positioning in external rotation and abduction/adduction. An additional I-shaped strip will be applied over the acromioclavicular joint for mechanical correction. Application will be performed by a trained physiotherapist.

Kinesiology taping

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosed with rotator cuff syndrome by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
• Experiencing shoulder pain for at least 3 months
• Willing to participate and provide written informed consent
• No adhesive capsulitis
• No shoulder or neck surgery history
• No injection in the shoulder region within the last 6 months
• No neurological, rheumatological, or cognitive disorders
• No cervical radiculopathy
• No scoliosis
• No open wounds in the application area
• No known allergy to kinesiology tape (negative skin test)

You may not qualify if:

• Development of allergic reaction to kinesiology tape during the study
• Withdrawal of consent at any stage of the study
• Inability to complete post-intervention assessments
• Development of any condition that prevents safe participation in the study
• Non-compliance with study procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Research and Training Hospital, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic

Kırşehir, Merkez, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

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: Dr. Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 11, 2026
• Study Start: May 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 3, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 3, 2026
• Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)