Effects of Kinesio Taping in Protracted Shoulder Posture
Condition: Postural; Defect
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      To determine the effects of kinesio taping in protracted shoulder posture.
    

Detailed description: 
      Office workers generally adopt slumped sitting posture while working at desk for longer
      durations. Computer use has rapidly increased from past 30 years in various offices so that
      employees spend plenty of time using computers. Excessive increase in sustained sitting while
      using computers lead individuals to faulty postures, such as protracted shoulder posture.
      Changes in posture are related to modifications in muscular functions which alter position of
      joints and produce movement impairment.

      Protracted shoulder/ forward head posture is one of the most prevalent faulty postures in
      upper quarter. This posture is associated with forwardly tilted, protracted, internally
      rotated, elevated and abducted position of scapula along with exaggerated cervical lordosis
      and upper thoracic spine kyphosis.

      Muscle imbalance that occurs in this posture includes tightening of anterior shoulder muscles
      namely pectoralis minor and major, upper trapezius and serratus anterior and the muscles that
      become weak are posterior shoulder muscles, middle and lower trapezius and rhomboids. This
      uncoordinated muscle work causes change in scapular kinematics and orientation of
      glenohumeral complex that further leads to pain in neck, shoulder and arms. The
      scapulohumeral rhythm disturbs due to the forward shifting of shoulder joint.

      Length of pectoralis minor and inadequate strength of lower trapezius are considered to be
      the vital muscular elements causing protracted shoulder posture in literature review.
      Tightening of the pectoralis minor is one of the significant feature to cause this posture.
      This muscle is found to be required for lengthening in individuals having protracted shoulder
      posture. 78% of variance in this posture was accounted by pectoralis minor muscle.

      Protracted shoulder posture is a multifactorial condition and have several treatment
      protocols including exercises that involves lengthening of hyperactive muscles, strengthening
      of weak muscles, scapular posterior tilting exercises, massage, bracing or taping, postural
      correction and soft tissue mobilization.

      Kinesio taping is a widely used technique that have ability to stretch longitudinally up to
      140-150% of its actual length and was manufactured to replicate the skeletal muscle's
      elasticity. Depending on direction of pull and percentage of stretch during its application,
      it provides several benefits i.e it facilitates or inhibit range of motion, gives positional
      stimulus, produces further space by lifting skin, soft tissues and fascia, provides proper
      alignment of fascial tissues, decreases pain and edema. The technique which is utilized by
      clinicians in order to inhibit or facilitate muscles is mechanical correction.

      There was limited use of this technique in our society especially for faulty postures and
      lack of postural awareness in our settings. Current study was planned to examine the effect
      of Kinesio tape on protracted shoulders.
    

Intervention name(s): Kinesio Tape; Conventional Physical Therapy
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Kinesio tape was applied with mechanical correction technique having I shaped with 50-100% tension for 72 hours on both shoulders in retracted position from the anterior aspect of the acromion to the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra of the both shoulders.
Conventional Physical; Therapy:
Thermotherapy (hot pack) applied for 10 minutes. Myofacial release. Active isolated unilateral stretching of pectoralis minor muscle for 30 seconds (3 set × 3 reps/day).
Strengthening of shoulder retractors (lower trapezius and rhomboids). (3 set × 15 reps/day).
Participants were asked to do exercises at home on daily basis.; Conventional Treatment: Hot pack, Myofascial Releaase, Stretching and Strengthening with Theraband
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: 68 participants were divided in two groups. Group A got Kinesio taping and conventional treatment while group B got only conventional treatment.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Double square; Kinesio taping; Protracted shoulder posture; Tapeline; Total scapular distance; Rrotracted shoulder posture