Effects of scapular taping in young adults with shoulder pain and scapular dyskinesis

Objective: To assess the immediate effects of scapular taping on pain, isometric force, and the level of activation of several scapular girdle muscles in individuals with shoulder pain and scapular dyskinesis.

Materials and methods: Ten individuals with shoulder pain during arm elevation and scapular dyskinesis were included and evaluated by using a visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure algometry, dynamometry, and surface electromyography. All assessments were performed before and immediately after the application of scapular taping.

Results: Scapular taping did not change the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle (p = 0.041, IC95%: -0.8256 to 10.8752). The positive effects of taping application were related to pain reduction (p = 0.025) and improvement in pressure algometry in the middle deltoid muscle (p = 0.020, IC95%:-1.8910 to -0.0490). Maximal isometric force did not change after the application of taping (flexo-abduction p = 0.4136, external rotation p = 0.4261). Significant correlations were noted between the VAS and pressure pain threshold (PPT) for the upper trapezius muscle (r = -0.6643, p = 0.0361) as well as for the PPT measures of the middle deltoid and infraspinatus muscles before (r = 0.9491, p = 0.0001) and after (r = 0.9006, p = 0.0004) the application of taping.

Conclusion: Scapular taping was not effective for inducing changes in the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles, nor in altering the isometric force of shoulder flexo-abduction and external rotation. However, taping was effective at improving the pressure algometry values of the middle deltoid. Significant correlations between the pressure algometry of the middle deltoid and infraspinatus muscles, both before and after the application of scapular taping, were noted.