Effects of Kinesio Taping in Protracted Shoulder Posture

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Postural; Defect
• Interventions: Other: Kinesio Tape; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT05186701
• Lead Sponsor: Riphah International University

Brief Summary

To determine the effects of kinesio taping in protracted shoulder posture.

Detailed Description

Office workers generally adopt slumped sitting posture while working at desk for longer durations. Computer use has rapidly increased from past 30 years in various offices so that employees spend plenty of time using computers. Excessive increase in sustained sitting while using computers lead individuals to faulty postures, such as protracted shoulder posture. Changes in posture are related to modifications in muscular functions which alter position of joints and produce movement impairment.

Protracted shoulder/ forward head posture is one of the most prevalent faulty postures in upper quarter. This posture is associated with forwardly tilted, protracted, internally rotated, elevated and abducted position of scapula along with exaggerated cervical lordosis and upper thoracic spine kyphosis.

Muscle imbalance that occurs in this posture includes tightening of anterior shoulder muscles namely pectoralis minor and major, upper trapezius and serratus anterior and the muscles that become weak are posterior shoulder muscles, middle and lower trapezius and rhomboids. This uncoordinated muscle work causes change in scapular kinematics and orientation of glenohumeral complex that further leads to pain in neck, shoulder and arms. The scapulohumeral rhythm disturbs due to the forward shifting of shoulder joint.

Length of pectoralis minor and inadequate strength of lower trapezius are considered to be the vital muscular elements causing protracted shoulder posture in literature review. Tightening of the pectoralis minor is one of the significant feature to cause this posture. This muscle is found to be required for lengthening in individuals having protracted shoulder posture. 78% of variance in this posture was accounted by pectoralis minor muscle.

Protracted shoulder posture is a multifactorial condition and have several treatment protocols including exercises that involves lengthening of hyperactive muscles, strengthening of weak muscles, scapular posterior tilting exercises, massage, bracing or taping, postural correction and soft tissue mobilization.

Kinesio taping is a widely used technique that have ability to stretch longitudinally up to 140-150% of its actual length and was manufactured to replicate the skeletal muscle's elasticity. Depending on direction of pull and percentage of stretch during its application, it provides several benefits i.e it facilitates or inhibit range of motion, gives positional stimulus, produces further space by lifting skin, soft tissues and fascia, provides proper alignment of fascial tissues, decreases pain and edema. The technique which is utilized by clinicians in order to inhibit or facilitate muscles is mechanical correction.

There was limited use of this technique in our society especially for faulty postures and lack of postural awareness in our settings. Current study was planned to examine the effect of Kinesio tape on protracted shoulders.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-07-15
• Primary Completion: 2019-12-31
• Study Completion: 2019-12-31
• Study First Submitted: 2021-10-07
• Status Verified: 2021-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-12-29
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-12-29
• Study First Posted: 2022-01-11
• Last Update Posted: 2022-01-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 68

Inclusion Criteria

• Subjects having bilateral protracted shoulder posture
• Work for at least 7 hours/day, 5 days/week, in a seated position

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Exclusion Criteria

• History of serious pathology (e.g., malignancy, inflammatory disorder, infection)
• History of cervical and thoracic spine and shoulder surgery in previous12 months
• History of trauma or fractures in cervical and thoracic spine
• Any spinal deformities such as Sprengel's deformity, scoliosis, kyphosis etc.
• Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression
• Cervical and thoracic spondylolisthesis, radiculopathy and spinal stenosis
• Severe skin allergy

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Kinesio taping and Conventional Physical Therapy	Kinesio Tape	Standardized therapeutic kinesio taping (I shaped with 50-100% tension for 72 hours on both shoulders) along with Conventional Physical Therapy including Thermotherapy, myofacial release, exercise therapy (active isolated unilateral stretching of pectoralis minor muscle and strengthening of shoulder retractors).
Conventional Physical Therapy	Conventional Physical Therapy	Thermotherapy, myofacial release, exercise therapy (active isolated unilateral stretching of pectoralis minor muscle and strengthening of shoulder retractors).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pectoralis Minor Length (PML)	2nd week.	Changes from baseline, Pectoralis Minor Length was assessed using tapeline. To determine the pectoralis minor length, distance in inches from the inferior and medial aspect of coracoid process to the inferior edge of fourth rib was taken.
Supine measurement of protracted shoulder posture	2nd week.	Changes from baseline, Supine measurement of protracted shoulder was measure by Straight ruler which is a simple scale that give measurements in inches or centimeters. Participants lied supine and their arms rested on abdomen with flexed elbows. Then distance was measured from posterolateral aspect of acromion to examining table in inches.
Total Scapular Distance (TSD)	2nd week.	Changes from baseline, Total Scapular Distance (TSD) was assessed using tapeline. It was measured by taking distance from third thoracic spinous process to caudal angle of acromion in inches.
Standing measurement of protracted shoulder posture	2nd week.	Changes from baseline, Standing measurement of protracted shoulder posture was mesasure by Double square which is a 12 inches long carpenter square with another square hang over this 12 inch ruler. Participants were asked to stand against wall, this tool was placed parallel to wall over the shoulder to be assessed and positioned it's another extended square at the tip of acromion anteriorly. Then distance from wall to acromion was measured in inches.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Lahore, Islamabad Campus; 🇵🇰 Islamabad, Pakistan