Evaluating the effects of two different kinesiology taping techniques on shoulder range of motion and proprioception in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A randomized controlled trial Provisionally Accepted
Frank Tudini
Max Jordon
David Levine
Kevin Chui- 1University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, United States
- 2Healy Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, United States
- 3Radford University, United States
Background: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a common group of inherited connective tissue disorders with a prevalence as high as 0.75% -2% of the population. Physical manifestations include pain and decreased proprioception, especially in more mobile joints such as the shoulder. Kinesiology tape (K-Tape) is often used to treat patients with shoulder dysfunction. The effectiveness of K-Tape is uncertain and there is a lack of studies specifically studying K-Tape in an EDS population. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of two different K-Tape procedures on shoulder active joint reposition (AJR) and active range of motion (AROM) in patients with hypermobile EDS and shoulder pain. Methods: All participants were recruited from EDS support groups and presented with shoulder pain. Baseline demographic information was obtained for each participant after which AROM and AJR were assessed. The participants were randomized to receive one of two K-Tape procedures. Testing was repeated immediately after the K-Tape and 48-hours later. Results: Significant improvements in shoulder external (F = 10.917, p <0.001) and internal (F = 11.736, p<0.001) rotation were seen from baseline to immediately post-tape and baseline to 48hours later in the experimental K-Tape group. There were no significant differences in shoulder rotation in the control K-Tape group and no significant differences in either group for shoulder flexion or AJR at any time point (p>0.05). Conclusion: K-Tape may offer short-term improvements in shoulder rotation AROM in patients with hypermobile EDS and shoulder pain.
Keywords: kinesiology tape, Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, shoulder active range of motion, Proprioception, Physical Therapy
Received: 07 Feb 2024;
Accepted: 02 May 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Tudini, Jordon, Levine, Healy, Cathey and Chui. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Dr. Frank Tudini, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, United States