Shoulder ROM stretching is often a component of injury treatment and rehabilitation. Kinesio Tape (KT) is also theorized to increase ROM. KT in conjunction with additional therapies such stretching is not reported in the literature, specifically regarding the shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of KT in conjunction with a stretching program on shoulder ROM arc.

DESIGN: Experimental, pre-test/post-test randomized design. Participants were assigned to one of four treatment groups (control, KT only, stretch, and KT/stretch). Measurements were obtained before and after treatments on 1^st day and 4^th day of experiment. IR and ER were measured three times in both directions with an inclinometer while supine. Interrater reliability of IR was r = .91, and ER was r = .96.

SETTING: Data collection occurred in a university laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: 93 subjects, ages18-40 with no history of shoulder injury or surgery volunteered to participate. Volunteers were randomly selected and divided into the 4 groups (control group = 22, KT group = 23, stretch =22, KT/stretch = 22) constituting males (n=37) and females (n=56).

INTERVENTIONS: We calculated frequencies and means to assess demographic data. We analyzed the data using two separate ANOVA to identify the differences between gender and the control/KT group ROM arc and between pre and post treatment control/KT treatment groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The stretching only group increased ROM arc significantly compared to the control, KT only and KT/stretch groups. Females had increased shoulder ROM arc in each group with control and treatment.

RESULTS: ANOVA results indicated a significant main effect between the 4 groups (F3,89 = 4.138, p=.009). A pairwise comparison identified a significant difference between the stretch group and control, KT and KT/stretch groups (p=.002) with a 12% increase in ROM arc. Shoulder ROM arc for women was significantly different indicating increases for each measurement on day 4; pre KT removal (F1,91 = 14.287, p=.000) and post KT removal (F 1,47 = 3.291, p=.076). Women had an average 5% increase in ROM arc compared to men 4 days after baseline measurements for all groups.

CONCLUSION: Results suggest that KT has no effect on shoulder ROM arc and that stretching incurs the greatest gains in ROM. Interestingly females displayed a significant increase in ROM arc compared to men and therefore gender differences should be assessed relative to ROM increases. KT may have some beneficial properties including stabilization, blood flow and pain and should be assessed for those variables. In addition tape placement should also be evaluated to determine differing taping technique efficacy on ROM.