The Effects of Dynamic Taping With Exercise on Neuromuscular Control in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement

The Effects of Dynamic Taping With Exercise on Neuromuscular Control

Background: Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is the commonest disorder of the shoulder, accounting for 44%-65% of all complaints of shoulder pain. Previous studies have found kinematic changes and alterations in muscle activation amplitude or timing. Recent studies also show the different organization of the corticospinal system in patients with SIS and alterations in central motor representation in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy. To restore kinematic changes and muscle activation in patients with SIS, treatments of patients with SIS commonly include motor control exercise and taping. However, there are different types of taping with different properties and purposes resulting in inconsistent outcomes. Recently, a new taping technique, Dynamic tape whose properties are between the most common taping Kinesio tape and rigid tape may solve the questions above. But the evidence of the effect of Dynamic tape and the additional effect of Dynamic tape with motor control exercises are still not well understood. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the additional effects of Dynamic taping with motor control exercise compared to motor control exercise alone on kinematic, muscle activity, corticospinal excitability, pain and function in people with subacromial Impingement Syndrome.

Methods: This is a randomized control trial. Fifty individuals with SIS will be randomly assigned into either an exercise group or dynamic tape with exercise group. Both groups will receive 5 sessions of treatment in 2 weeks, with 30 minutes per sessions. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, after the first intervention and following 2-week intervention. Primary outcome measures will include scapular kinematics, scapular muscle activation and corticospinal system. Secondary outcome measures included shoulder pain by a numeric pain rating scale and shoulder function by the disability of the arm, shoulder & hand scale (DASH). Data analysis: two-way and three-way mixed ANOVA will used to compare the intervention effect of two groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Shoulder pain located on the front or outer side.

2. The participants were only included if they were aged between 20-40 years.

3. Total participation time in shoulder exercises per week is greater than or equal to 4 hours.

4. Presence of scapular movement dysfunction.

5. Presence of shoulder impingement symptoms, with at least 3 positive results in the following 6 tests:

   • Painful arc test
   • Neer's impingement test
   • Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test
   • Empty can test
   • Resisted external rotation test
   • Tenderness of the rotator cuff tendons

Exclusion Criteria

1. Received shoulder exercise therapy in the past three months.
2. Arm elevation angle less than 120 degrees
3. Have a history of dislocation, fracture, or surgery of upper extremity
4. A history of direct contact injury to the neck or upper extremities within the past 12 months
5. A concussion within the past 12 months or a history of three or more concussions
6. Brain injury and neurological impairment
7. History of frequent headache or dizziness
8. Contraindications to the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, assessed with a safety screening questionnaire, including pregnancy, history of seizure, epilepsy and syncope, having cochlear implant, having medal implant and taking anti-depressant medication.