Rotator Cuff Pain: K Tape + Rehab Short-Term Effects

Nguyen, T. N. A., Nguyen, N. H., Vu, D. K., & Cu, L. T. N. (2025). Short-term effects of
Kinesiotaping combined with a rehabilitation program for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain: A
randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 33(2),
112–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2024.2387913

The Skinny:
The term rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP) encompasses a range of disorders
associated with rotator cuff pathology, including rotator cuff tendinopathy, subacromial pain
syndrome, and atraumatic partial rotator cuff tear. RCRSP is present in approximately half of
patients with shoulder issues and is characterized by pain and limited arm range of motion
(ROM). RCRSP is typically treated with a combination of patient education, manual therapy,
exercise, electrotherapy, and, in some cases, surgery. K taping (KT) is an elastic and
adhesive tape thought to provide pain relief, improve lymphatic and vascular function, and
support injured muscles and joints. This study examined the clinical efficacy of K taping in
conjunction with a rehabilitation program for RCRSP.

In the Weeds:
The single-blinded randomized controlled trial included two groups, a control group and a k taping
group, each with 40 participants. Both groups completed a 2-week shoulder rehabilitation
program comprising 10 sessions, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Both groups underwent infrared
therapy, ultrasound, and progressive shoulder strengthening. The only difference between groups
was that the k tape group received three strips of K-tape to the affected shoulder and was
instructed to leave the tape on for 72 hours or until the next session.

Bringing it Home:
Both groups benefited from the shoulder rehabilitation program, demonstrating decreased
shoulder pain and increased function; however, greater benefits were observed in the KT group.
At 14 days postintervention, the KT group showed significantly reduced pain compared with the
control group. Additionally, the KT group gained more shoulder flexion and external rotation
ROM. By day 14, the KT group gained an average of 11.8 degrees of shoulder flexion ROM and
6.98 degrees of shoulder external rotation, both greater than those of the control group. No
significant differences were observed between groups for shoulder abduction and internal
rotation. The KT group experienced significantly improved pain immediately after KT application compared with the control group. It is presumed that KT may improve short-term
pain reduction when using the Visual Analog Scale. The study results indicate that KT may
accelerate ROM improvements in patients with RCRSP.

Rating: 4/5
This study included a rigorous methodology section and accurately used statistical analyses to
interpret results. Of note, 73% of participants were male, which may limit generalizability.
Additionally, the follow-up period was short, limiting the ability to examine the differences in
long-term outcomes. In the context of hand therapy practice, KT may be valuable to trial for
patients with RCRSP for pain reduction as well as increased function and ROM.