Tension of THERABAND® Kinesiology Tape on Shoulder Pain

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of standard tension of Thera-Band® Kinesiological Tape (TB-KT) application versus varied tension on shoulder pain, disability, and recovery speed during an in-office rehabilitative program. A convenience sample size of 38 new patients with current shoulder pain will be recruited for this study. Patients must be tested within the first 2 to 3 therapy visits, have a diagnosis of shoulder pain, be 18-64 years old, no corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks, post-surgical cases will be excluded, and patients may not be pregnant. Upon agreeing to the study, patients will sign an informed consent, complete a demographics questionnaire, and complete specific outcome measure assessments. The outcome measures will include the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Penn Shoulder Score (PENN). After completing the initial paperwork, patients will be randomized into two groups, control and intervention. The Control group will receive standard FUNHAB® in-office care in addition to standard TB-KT taping technique. The Intervention group will receive standard FUNHAB® in-office care plus varying tension application of TB-KT. The TB-KT will be applied to the shoulder complex to influence proper activation of the rotator cuff muscles, specifically the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The tape will be applied in an "I" strip from the vertebral border of the scapula to the lesser tubercle of the humerus. Over the course of the 4 weeks, the tension of the tape will systemically increase. At the beginning of each week the tape will be reapplied, and pain rating will be recorded. At the conclusion of 4 weeks patients will complete the PENN.

Inclusion criteria

• tested within the first 2 to 3 therapy visits, have a diagnosis of shoulder pain, and be 18-64 years old

Exclusion criteria

• Corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks, post-surgical cases, and pregnancy