Effects of Cold and Kinesio Taping in Individuals With Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Short-Term Effects of Cold Therapy and Kinesio Taping on Pain and Upper Extremity Functionality in Individuals With Rotator Cuff Tendonitis: A Randomized Study

Rotator cuff tendonitis (RCT) is one of the most common shoulder pathologies, causing pain, limitation of shoulder joint movements, and impaired function. Patient education, medical treatment, corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy rehabilitation approaches are the most common treatment options applied to alleviate the symptoms of RCT. Despite these various treatment methods, there are currently no specific guidelines regarding the most appropriate and effective intervention for RCT treatment. This is mainly because adequate, high-quality studies are lacking in RCT management. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT), which has become a popular approach in recent years, and Cold Therapy (CT), which has often been used as a therapeutic agent since immemorial, on individuals with RCT. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate and compare the short-term effects of KT and CT on pain and upper extremity functionality in individuals with RCT.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kinesio Taping (KT); Other: standardized home exercise program; Other: Cold Therapy (CT)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Istanbul, Turkey, 34060
    • Bezmialem Vakıf University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• RCT diagnosis
• Excluding other shoulder pathologies by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and specific tests

Exclusion Criteria:

• Glenohumeral joint dislocation/subluxation;
• Acromioclavicular sprain;
• Rotator cuff tear;
• Glenohumeral joint instability;
• Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder;
• Acromioclavicular joint pathologies,
• Hyperlaxity;
• Any fracture in the shoulder;
• Diabetes, thyroid and any vascular or rheumatologic disease;
• Glenohumeral joint deformities;
• Superior labrum anteroposterior (SLAP) lesion;
• Shoulder pain lasting more than six months;
• History of shoulder surgery;
• Intra-articular steroid injection

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Kinesio Taping; KT was applied to the symptomatic shoulder of participants.	Other: Kinesio Taping (KT); KT was applied to the symptomatic shoulder at the end of the baseline assessment by a certificated physiotherapist with over ten years of experience in Kinesio taping. After three days, participants were re-evaluated. KT application has been made according to the protocol for rotator cuff impingement or tendonitis including inhibition and correction techniques.; Other: standardized home exercise program; All participants performed standardized home exercise program, including shoulder isometric and stretching exercises were . A physiotherapist taught the exercise program until the participants were able to exercise accurately on their own. All participants were instructed to perform the exercises three times a day for three days.
Active Comparator: Cold Therapy; Ice packs were applied to the symptomatic shoulder of participants.	Other: standardized home exercise program; All participants performed standardized home exercise program, including shoulder isometric and stretching exercises were . A physiotherapist taught the exercise program until the participants were able to exercise accurately on their own. All participants were instructed to perform the exercises three times a day for three days.; Other: Cold Therapy (CT); The initial application was administered by the physiotherapist. In a sitting position, a pack was wrapped in a thin towel and placed on the affected shoulder joint, including the painful locations. During the application, the participant was closely observed for discomfort or adverse reactions (redness, burning, numbness, itching, …). The cold application was continued for 20 minutes.After the first application, participants were instructed to apply ice for 20 minutes five times a day for three days at home or work.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain intensity	Numerical Rating Scale (NRS): The pain severity was assessed using the NRS, for which a subject was asked to rate his/her perceived pain. A 11-point NRS from 0 to 10 which 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst possible pain was scored during night, rest, and activity.	At baseline and after three days of the applications
Function	Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire): DASH is a self-reported questionnaire designed for evaluating the functional level of upper extremity. It is a 30-item scale that addresses difficulty in performing various physical activities that require upper extremity function (physical function, 21 items); symptoms of pain, activity-related pain, tingling, weakness, and stiffness (pain symptoms, 5 items); or impact of disability and symptoms on social activities, work, sleep, and psychological well-being (emotional and social function, 4 items). Each item is scored between 1 and 5. A score of 1 indicates no strain, and a score of 5 indicates inability to perform the specified activity.	At baseline and after three days of the applications
Function	Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI): The SPADI is a self-administered questionnaire developed to measure the pain and disability associated with shoulder pathology in people with shoulder pain of musculoskeletal, neurogenic, or undetermined origin. It consists of 13 items that assess two domains: a 5-item subscale that measures pain and an 8-item subscale that measures disability. The items of both domains were scored on a numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0=no pain/no disability and 10= worst pain imaginable/so difficult required help.	At baseline and after three days of the applications

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Range of Motion	Range of Motion (ROM): The active range of motion (ROM) of the affected shoulder, including flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, was assessed using a universal goniometer following the protocol reported by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)	At baseline and after three days of the applications
Grip strength	Jamar® hydraulic hand dynamometer were used to assess hand-grip strength of the affected side.	At baseline and after three days of the applications

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bezmialem Vakif University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 26, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): February 28, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 16, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 21, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): May 23, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 23, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 21, 2024
• Last Verified: May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Rupture; Shoulder Injuries; Tendon Injuries; Rotator Cuff Injuries; Tendinopathy
• Other Study ID Numbers: 71306642

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: IPD will not be shared

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No