SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Med.
Sec. Family Medicine and Primary Care
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1695350
The efficacy of kinesiology tape for rotator cuff injuries: A meta-analysis of randomized trials
Provisionally accepted
- 1The First People's Hospital of Neijiang City, Sichuan, China, Neijiang, China
- 2Southwest Medical University of China, Neijang, China
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Objective:Kinesiology tape has shown certain effects in treating rotator cuff injuries, but its efficacy remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesiology tape in treating rotator cuff injuries through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods:We conducted a search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP databases, with the search period ending in August 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing KT with comparable single rehabilitation interventions, placebos or traditional rehabilitation were included. The outcomes included shoulder pain, range of motion, and upper limb movement. Results:A total of 17 studies (959 participants) were included. Kinesiology tape (KT) showed a significant therapeutic effect on the shoulder pain score (MD = -0.94; 95% CI: [-1.27, -0.95], Z = 5.6, p < 0.0001, I²=75%). KT significantly increased the shoulder flexion range of motion (MD = 9.24; 95% CI: [3.11, 15.36], Z = 2.96, p < kioesiology 删除[YuanLuo]: =0.003, I²=91%). KT significantly increased the shoulder abduction range of motion (MD =9.14; 95% CI: [6.99, 11.29], Z = 8.34, p < 0.0001, I²=38%). KT significantly improved upper limb function (MD =-4.38; 95% CI: [-5.19, -3.57], Z = 10.64, p < 0.0001, I ² =19%). Through subgroup analysis based on pain assessment, the differences in therapeutic effects of KT treatment were further explored in different types of control groups, treatment cycles, stimulation areas, and genders. Conclusion:The results of this meta-analysis indicate that KT has a significant positive effect in alleviating shoulder pain and upper limb dysfunction in patients with rotator cuff injuries. However, due to the presence of potential risk factors, the therapeutic effect of KT needs to be interpreted with caution.
Keywords: Rotator cuff Injuries, kinesiology tape, Systematic review, Meta-analysis, Pain
Received: 29 Aug 2025; Accepted: 13 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Luo, Zhang, Tang, Chen, Zhou and Huang. 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: Liyue Zhang, 357805715@qq.com
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