Objective: To determine the effectiveness of kinesiotaping (KT) with or without co-interventions for clinical outcomes in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).
Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Data sources: Eight databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, LILACS, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception until March 2021.
Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Clinical trials that determine the effectiveness of KT with or without co-interventions for clinical outcomes in patients with SIS who are older than 18 years of age.
Results: Ten trials for the quantitative analysis were included. For pain intensity at 1-3 weeks, the overall pooled MD was -0.73 cm, 95% CI = -1.50 to 0.04 (p = 0.06), and at 3-6 weeks, it was -0.13 cm, 95% CI = -1.37 to 0.36 (p = 0.25). For shoulder function, the MD was -0.02, 95%CI = -0.30 to 0.26 (p = 0.89). For shoulder Range of Motion (ROM) flexion, the MD was -16.70, 95% CI = -0.52 to 33.92 (p = 0.06). Additionally, there was a low to moderate quality of evidence according to the GRADE rating.
Conclusion: Kinesiotaping with or without co-interventions was not superior to other interventions for improving shoulder pain intensity, function and ROM flexion in patients with SIS.
Keywords: athletic tape; kinesiotaping; meta-analysis; randomized clinical trial; subacromial impingement syndrome.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.