Effects of Kinesiotaping on Muscular Activity, Mobility, Strength and Pain After Rotator Cuff Surgery

Kinesiotape (KT) is widely used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation as an adjuvant to treatment but minimal evidence supports its use. The aim of this study is to determine the immediate and short-term effects of shoulder KT on muscular activity, mobility, strength and pain after rotator cuff surgery. Our hypotheses were that KT should not improve muscle function, mobility, strength or pain in a clinically meaningful way. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects with shoulder rotator cuff surgery were tested 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery, without tape, with KT and with a sham tape (ST). KT and ST were applied in a randomized order. For each condition, muscular activity of upper trapezius, three parts of deltoid and infraspinatus during shoulder flexion, range of motion (ROM) and pain intensity were assessed. At 12 weeks, isometric strength at 90° of shoulder flexion, with related muscular activity and pain intensity were also measured. Subjects maintained the last tape applied for three days and recorded pain intensity at wake-up and during the day.