• Yi-Fen Shih, Ya-Fang Lee, and Wen-Yin Chen.
• J Sport Rehabil. 2018 Nov 1; 27 (6): 560-569.

ContextScapular proprioception is a key concern in managing shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). However, no study has examined the effect of elastic taping on scapular proprioception performance.ObjectiveTo investigate the immediate effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on scapular reposition accuracy, kinematics, and muscle activation in individuals with SIS.DesignRandomized controlled study.SettingMusculoskeletal laboratory, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan.ParticipantsThirty overhead athletes with SIS.InterventionsKT or placebo taping over the upper and lower trapezius muscles.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measures were scapular joint position sense, measured as the reposition errors, in the direction of scapular elevation and protraction. The secondary outcomes were scapular kinematics and muscle activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior during arm elevation in the scapular plane (scaption).ResultsCompared with placebo taping, KT significantly decreased the reposition errors of upward/downward rotation (P = .04) and anterior/posterior tilt (P = .04) during scapular protraction. KT also improved scapular kinematics (significant group by taping effect for posterior tilt, P = .03) during scaption. Kinesiology and placebo tapings had a similar effect on upper trapezius muscle activation (significant taping effect, P = .003) during scaption.ConclusionsOur study identified the positive effects of KT on scapular joint position sense and movement control. Future studies with a longer period of follow-up and clinical measurement might help to clarify the clinical effect and mechanisms of elastic taping in individuals with SIS.

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