Effect of rigid taping versus scapular stabilizing exercises for subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized triple- blinded controlled trial

Purpose: to determine the effect of rigid scapular taping compared with scapular stabilization exercises on pain and functional disability in patient with subacromial impingement syndrome. Material and methods A total of 105 subjects, diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome participated in the study. They were randomly allocated into three groups: rigid taping, scapular stabilization exercises, and control group. All groups received strengthening and stretching exercises, rigid taping group received rigid taping for the scapula, and the scapular stabilizing exercises group received scapular stabilization exercises. Pain intensity and functional disability level were measured before and after treatment and at 3 months follow-up. Visual analog scale, shoulder pain, and disability index were used to assess pain and disability. Results All groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement in visual analogue scale and shoulder pain, and disability index scores after interventions and at follow-up (p<0.05). Adding rigid taping or scapular stabilizing exercises to the standard treatment yielded similar results in pain and functional activity (p>0.05). Conclusions Rigid taping and scapular stabilizing exercises are equally effective on pain and functional disability in subacromial impingement syndrome. scapular stabilizing exercises results in more stable improvements over time.