This research investigated the effectiveness of kinesiology tape in managing shoulder pain and improving function in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS).
Background
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a common connective tissue disorder characterized by widespread joint pain, particularly in large joints like the shoulder. Physical therapy is a primary treatment for hEDS, and kinesiology tape is often used for shoulder pain and dysfunction.
Purpose
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and short-term effects of two different KT techniques on shoulder pain and function in individuals diagnosed with hEDS and experiencing shoulder pain.
Methods
Participants with hEDS and shoulder pain were recruited from EDS support groups. Baseline measurements included; Upper Extremity Functional Index, QuickDASH, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index. Pain levels were recorded using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control shoulder KT group. Immediate post-taping NPRS was taken, and participants returned 48 hours later for reassessment.
Results
The study found no significant difference between the experimental and control taping groups for any outcome measure. However, there was a significant improvement in all four measures from pre-taping to 48 hours post-taping, with large effect sizes. Similarly, average and worst pain over the last 24 hours significantly improved over the same period with large effect sizes.
Current pain levels showed immediate and sustained improvement from pre-tape to 48 hours post-tape, though no further improvement was observed after the initial reduction. A small percentage of participants (5.2%) experienced minor skin reactions (redness, small blistering) which resolved within 2-4 days after tape removal.
Conclusion
Kinesiology taping is an inexpensive, relatively safe, and easy-to-apply intervention that can provide temporary improvements in pain and function for patients with hEDS and shoulder pain. The different techniques of tape application appeared to have little impact on the outcomes, as both the experimental and control taping methods yielded similar benefits which when you view the comparative images is not surprising as both applications look similar, with the experimental application simply using more tape. Both application styles used ‘light stretch’ and this variable would have been interesting to manipulate and assess for outcome.
Reference
Tudini, F., Levine, D., Healy, M., Jordon, M. and Chui, K., 2023. Evaluating the effects of two different kinesiology taping techniques on shoulder pain and function in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Frontiers in Pain Research, 4, p.1089748.
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