Tension of THERABAND® Kinesiology Tape on Shoulder Pain

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of standard tension of
Thera-Band® Kinesiological Tape (TB-KT) application versus varied tension on shoulder pain,
disability, and recovery speed during an in-office rehabilitative program. A convenience
sample size of 38 new patients with current shoulder pain will be recruited for this study.
Patients must be tested within the first 2 to 3 therapy visits, have a diagnosis of shoulder
pain, be 18-64 years old, no corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks,
post-surgical cases will be excluded, and patients may not be pregnant. Upon agreeing to the
study, patients will sign an informed consent, complete a demographics questionnaire, and
complete specific outcome measure assessments. The outcome measures will include the Numeric
Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Penn Shoulder Score (PENN). After completing the initial
paperwork, patients will be randomized into two groups, control and intervention. The Control
group will receive standard FUNHAB® in-office care in addition to standard TB-KT taping
technique. The Intervention group will receive standard FUNHAB® in-office care plus varying
tension application of TB-KT. The TB-KT will be applied to the shoulder complex to influence
proper activation of the rotator cuff muscles, specifically the supraspinatus and
infraspinatus. The tape will be applied in an "I" strip from the vertebral border of the
scapula to the lesser tubercle of the humerus. Over the course of the 4 weeks, the tension of
the tape will systemically increase. At the beginning of each week the tape will be
reapplied, and pain rating will be recorded. At the conclusion of 4 weeks patients will
complete the PENN.

Inclusion Criteria:

- tested within the first 2 to 3 therapy visits, have a diagnosis of shoulder pain, and
be 18-64 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

- Corticosteroid treatment within the last two weeks, post-surgical cases, and pregnancy