An interventional study of Conventional Kinesio Taping and Scapular Kinesio Taping in Subacromial Impingement Syndrome, sponsored by Pamukkale University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-23.
Sponsored by Pamukkale University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of two different kinesio taping techniques on pain, shoulder function, acromiohumeral distance, and shoulder proprioception in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.
A total of 72 patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome will be randomly assigned to three groups: (1) conventional shoulder kinesio taping combined with therapeutic exercise, (2) scapular kinesio taping combined with therapeutic exercise, and (3) therapeutic exercise alone (control group).
All participants will receive the same supervised therapeutic exercise program three times per week for eight weeks, totaling 24 sessions. Participants in the two kinesio taping groups will additionally receive their respective taping interventions three times per week for eight weeks.
Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after eight weeks of treatment by an assessor blinded to group allocation.
The primary outcome will be acromiohumeral distance measured by ultrasonography at 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), health-related quality of life assessed using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), and shoulder proprioception assessed using an active joint repositioning test.
The study aims to determine whether adding kinesio taping to therapeutic exercise provides additional benefits and whether the effects differ between conventional shoulder and scapular taping techniques.
This study is designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial to investigate the effects of two different kinesio taping techniques on pain, shoulder function, acromiohumeral distance, and shoulder proprioception in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.
The study will be conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Türkiye, between October 2026 and October 2027.
A total of 72 patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome based on clinical and radiological examinations will be included. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants.
Participants will be randomly allocated into three groups using a random number table, with 24 patients in each group.
Group 1: Conventional Shoulder Kinesio Taping + Therapeutic Exercise
Participants in this group will receive conventional shoulder kinesio taping based on Kase principles and the technique described by Oliveira et al., in addition to therapeutic exercise.
The taping procedure will consist of three strips of 5-cm-wide kinesio tape:
A Y-shaped strip applied around the deltoid muscle from insertion to origin with 15-25% tension.
An I-shaped strip extending from approximately 7-10 cm above the acromioclavicular joint to approximately 7-10 cm below the deltoid tuberosity with 50-75% tension.
An I-shaped strip applied from the coracoid process toward the posterior deltoid for mechanical correction of the glenohumeral joint with 50-75% tension.
Taping will be performed three times per week for eight weeks, after each exercise session. The tape will remain in place for 24 hours after each application.
Group 2: Scapular Kinesio Taping + Therapeutic Exercise
Participants in this group will receive scapular kinesio taping based on the technique described by Harput et al., in addition to the same therapeutic exercise program.
Two I-shaped strips of 5-cm-wide kinesio tape will be applied:
The first strip will be applied vertically along the medial border of the scapula with 75% tension while the participant actively performs scapular retraction.
The second strip will be applied diagonally from the anterior aspect of the humeral head toward the inferior border of the scapula with 75% tension while the participant actively performs scapular posterior tilt.
Taping will be performed three times per week for eight weeks, after each exercise session. The tape will remain in place for 24 hours after each application.
Group 3: Therapeutic Exercise Alone (Control Group)
Participants in the control group will receive only the therapeutic exercise program, without kinesio taping.
The exercise program will be identical to that administered to the other two groups.
Therapeutic Exercise Program
All participants will undergo the same supervised therapeutic exercise program based on the protocol described by Letafatkar et al.
The program will be conducted at the hospital three times per week for eight weeks, totaling 24 sessions.
The exercise program will include three stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, and posterior shoulder structures.
Each stretching exercise will be maintained for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest, and repeated three times.
The strengthening program will include shoulder external rotation targeting the rotator cuff muscles, shoulder extension targeting the lower trapezius, and shoulder protraction targeting the serratus anterior.
Each strengthening exercise will be performed for three sets of 10 repetitions, with one minute of rest between sets.
Elastic resistance bands will be used, with resistance progressively increased from red to green and black bands according to participant tolerance.
All exercises will be performed within the maximum pain-free range of motion.
Outcome Assessment
All participants will be evaluated at baseline and after completion of the eight-week treatment program.
Assessments will be performed by an evaluator blinded to treatment group allocation.
The primary outcome measure will be ultrasonographic measurement of the acromiohumeral distance.
Secondary outcome measures will include:
Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Shoulder pain and disability assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI).
Shoulder-related quality of life assessed using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC).
Shoulder proprioception assessed through joint position sense measurements.
Demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, height, body weight, body mass index, dominant extremity, affected shoulder, and symptom duration, will also be recorded.
During the study, participants will be allowed to use analgesic medications according to physician recommendations when necessary. The active ingredient, dosage, frequency, and duration of analgesic use will be recorded.
The study aims to determine whether adding kinesio taping to therapeutic exercise provides additional clinical and biomechanical benefits and whether conventional shoulder taping and scapular taping differ in their effectiveness.
312 studies on the registry are indexed under Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; 58 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 72 is above the median of 54 across 267 interventional studies indexed under Shoulder Impingement Syndrome.
Browse Shoulder Impingement Syndrome studies →Pamukkale University is the lead sponsor of 340 studies on the registry; 62 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
- 1. Age between 18 and 65 years. 2. Shoulder pain persisting for at least 6 weeks. 3. Presence of a painful arc during shoulder flexion or abduction. 4. Positive Neer or Hawkins-Kennedy test. 5. Pain during at least one of the following tests: resisted shoulder external rotation, resisted abduction, or Jobe/Empty Can test.
6. Ability to understand the study procedures. 7. Voluntary agreement to participate in the study and adhere to the treatment program.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. History of shoulder surgery. 2. History of fracture involving the shoulder girdle. 3. Traumatic onset of shoulder pain. 4. Full-thickness or massive rotator cuff tear. 5. Significant tear of the long head of the biceps tendon. 6. Adhesive capsulitis. 7. History of glenohumeral instability or dislocation. 8. Cervical radiculopathy that may explain shoulder symptoms or pain provoked by cervical movements.
9. Neurological or systemic rheumatological disease that may affect shoulder function.
10. Open wounds or active dermatological lesions in the area of kinesio tape application.
11. Known allergy or intolerance to kinesio tape or adhesive materials. 12. Physical therapy or injection treatment to the affected shoulder within the previous 6 months.
13. Pregnancy.
Participants in this group will receive conventional shoulder kinesio taping based on the Kase technique, using a three-strip application protocol adapted from Oliveira et al. Kinesio taping will be administered in addition to a standardized therapeutic exercise program. The exercise program will include stretching and strengthening exercises targeting the shoulder and scapular muscles. The intervention period will last eight weeks.
Other: Conventional Kinesio Taping · Other: Therapeutic Exercise Program
Participants in this group will receive scapular kinesio taping based on the technique described by Harput et al. The taping intervention will be administered in addition to a standardized therapeutic exercise program. The exercise program will include stretching and strengthening exercises targeting the shoulder and scapular muscles. The intervention period will last eight weeks.
Other: Scapular Kinesio Taping · Other: Therapeutic Exercise Program
Participants in this group will receive only a standardized therapeutic exercise program without kinesio taping. The exercise program will include stretching exercises targeting the upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, and posterior shoulder structures, as well as strengthening exercises targeting the shoulder external rotators, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles. The intervention period will last eight weeks.
Other: Therapeutic Exercise Program
Conventional shoulder kinesio taping will be applied to the symptomatic shoulder using a three-strip technique based on Kase principles and the protocol described by Oliveira et al. A 5-cm-wide elastic kinesiology tape will be used. The first Y-shaped strip will be applied around the deltoid muscle from insertion to origin with 15-25% tension. The second I-shaped strip will be applied from approximately 7-10 cm above the acromioclavicular joint to approximately 7-10 cm below the deltoid tuberosity with 50-75% tension. The third I-shaped strip will be applied from the coracoid process toward the posterior deltoid with 50-75% tension for mechanical correction. Taping will be performed three times weekly for eight weeks (24 applications), after each supervised exercise session. The tape will remain in place for 24 hours. Participants will also receive the standardized therapeutic exercise program.
Scapular kinesio taping will be applied according to the technique described by Harput et al. A 5-cm-wide elastic kinesiology tape will be used. Participants will be seated upright during application. The first I-shaped strip will be applied vertically along the medial border of the scapula with 75% tension while the participant actively performs scapular retraction. The second I-shaped strip will be applied diagonally from the anterior aspect of the humeral head toward the inferior border of the scapula with 75% tension while the participant actively performs scapular posterior tilt. Taping will be performed three times weekly for eight weeks (24 applications), after each supervised exercise session. The tape will remain in place for 24 hours. Participants will also receive the same standardized therapeutic exercise program.
All participants will receive the same hospital-based supervised therapeutic exercise program based on Letafatkar et al., three times weekly for eight weeks (24 sessions). The program includes three stretching and three strengthening exercises. Stretching targets the upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, and posterior shoulder structures. Each stretch is held for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest, and repeated three times. Strengthening includes shoulder external rotation (rotator cuff), shoulder extension (lower trapezius), and shoulder protraction (serratus anterior). Each strengthening exercise consists of 3 sets of 10 repetitions with 1-minute rest between sets. Elastic resistance bands will be progressed from red to green and black. All exercises will be performed within the maximum pain-free range of motion.
Change in Acromiohumeral Distance (AHD) Measured by Ultrasonography
Acromiohumeral distance (AHD) will be measured using a Clarius L7 HD linear ultrasound scanner at 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction. Participants will be seated upright. At 0°, the arm will rest beside the body with the elbow extended. At 60°, the arm will be abducted with the elbow extended and palm facing downward. The abduction angle will be verified using a Baseline Digital Inclinometer. The ultrasound probe will be positioned at the lateral acromion, aligned with the longitudinal axis of the humerus. AHD will be defined as the shortest distance between the inferior border of the acromion and the humeral head. Three measurements will be obtained at each position, and the mean value in millimeters will be used for analysis. Changes from baseline to week 8 will be compared between groups.
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and week 8 (after completion of treatment).
Change in Shoulder Pain Intensity Assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Shoulder pain intensity will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants will separately rate their current pain at rest, pain experienced during activity in the previous 24 hours, and shoulder pain experienced during the previous night. The scale ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity. Changes in pain scores from baseline to week 8 will be evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and week 8 (after completion of treatment).
Change in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) Score
Shoulder pain and functional disability will be assessed using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). The questionnaire consists of 13 items divided into two subscales: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items). Each item is scored from 0 to 10. Pain and disability subscale scores are converted to percentages ranging from 0 to 100, and the total SPADI score is calculated as the mean of the two subscale scores. Higher scores indicate greater pain and functional disability. Changes in total SPADI scores from baseline to week 8 will be evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and week 8 (after completion of treatment).
Change in Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) Score
Rotator cuff disease-specific health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC). The questionnaire consists of 21 items across five domains: physical symptoms, sports and recreation, work, lifestyle, and emotions. Each item is scored on a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 2100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment and poorer health-related quality of life. Changes in total WORC scores from baseline to week 8 will be evaluated.
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and week 8 (after completion of treatment).
Change in Shoulder Joint Position Error (JPE)
Shoulder proprioception will be assessed using an active joint repositioning test with a Baseline Digital Inclinometer. Measurements will be performed during shoulder flexion and abduction at target angles of 60° and 120°. Participants will be seated with their eyes closed. The examiner will position the arm at the target angle for 5 seconds, after which participants will actively reproduce the position without visual feedback. Joint Position Error (JPE) will be calculated as the absolute difference in degrees between the target and reproduced angles. Three trials will be performed for each target angle, and the mean absolute error will be recorded. Lower JPE values indicate better proprioceptive accuracy.
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment) and week 8 (after completion of treatment).
Plan to share: No
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Oct 2027, 12 months later.
Of 170 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, half reached primary completion within 12 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 24. This study's planned 12 months is close to that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 172 studies reached it within 12 months; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 24.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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