Effect of kinesio taping on rehabilitation of rotator cuff injury

Objective To observe the effect of kinesio taping on rotator cuff injury. Methods From January to November in 2017, 40 patients with rotator cuff injury biceps were conservertively treated in department of rehabilitation medicine or orthopedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, and they were randomly divided into treatment group(n=20) and control group(n=20). The control group received routine comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, including physical therapy and therapeutic exercise. Physical therapy included ultrasonic therapy, ultrashort wave therapy and wax therapy, while therapeutic exercise included joint mobilization, passive physiological exercise, myotasis and strength training. On the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the treatment group received additionally kinesio taping technique(kinesio taping technique is a new type of ligation technology. The kinesio tape has good elasticity and viscosity. Different taping methods play different roles in supporting or relaxing tissues, promoting fluid and blood circulation). After a course of treatment(12 days), VAS and the University of California professional score(UCLA) system for rotator cuff injury were evaluated and compared. Results After treatment, the VAS scores in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of control group(1.85±1.09 vs 3.45±1.82, P=0.020), and both of them decreased significantly compared to those before treatment(5.60±1.10 and 5.70±0.98)(P < 0.01, respectively). After treatment, pain(8.20±0.89 vs 7.10±1.02), shoulder function(7.90±1.02 vs 7.10±1.21), active forward flexion activity(4.00±0.56 vs 3.55±0.76), strength of forward flexion score(4.40±0.60 vs 4.15±0.49) of UCLA in the treatment group were all significantly higher than those of the control group(all P < 0.01); and these indicators increased significantly compared to before treatment(all P < 0.05). The satisfaction of the patients was significantly higher than that in the control group(4.75±1.12 vs 4.00±2.05, P=0.003). Conclusion Kinesio taping combined comprehensive rehabilitation treatment can alleviate main symptoms of rotator cuff injury, such as pain and limited joint movement, which is more effective when comparing to comprehensive rehabilitation alone.