JSES - 2026-07-01 - Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of adding thoracic extension exercises or thoracic kinesio taping to shoulder exercises on pain and function in adults with subacromial pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
Altaş EU, Kırmızı M, Şahin A, Yüksel A, Danacı EÇ, Sertpoyraz FM, Günay Uçurum S
Topics
Key Takeaway
Adding thoracic extension exercises or kinesio taping to shoulder exercises produced greater improvements in pectoralis major pressure pain threshold and shoulder abductor/adductor strength than shoulder exercises alone, but all three groups achieved clinically meaningful pain reduction (~3.1–4.4 cm VAS) and DASH improvement (~20–23 points) at 3 weeks.
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Summary
This 3-arm RCT compared thoracic extension exercises plus shoulder exercises (Group A), kinesio taping plus shoulder exercises (Group B), and shoulder exercises alone (Group C) in 75 adults with subacromial pain syndrome over 3 weeks. All groups achieved significant within-group improvements in VAS pain, DASH scores, and shoulder AROM. Between-group analysis showed Groups A and B had superior gains in pectoralis major pressure pain threshold and shoulder abductor/adductor isometric strength versus Group C, with no significant difference between the two thoracic intervention groups.
Key Limitation
The 3-week intervention window with no post-treatment follow-up makes it impossible to determine whether the between-group strength and pain sensitivity advantages are sustained or represent only acute treatment effects.
Original Abstract
BACKGROUND
In subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS), a common cause of shoulder pain, thoracic spine targeted interventions have been associated with improvements in shoulder outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding thoracic extension exercises (TEE) or thoracic kinesio taping (KT) to shoulder exercises (SE) on shoulder pain, disability, active range of motion (AROM), and strength in adults with SAPS.
METHODS
Seventy-five adults with SAPS were randomized into 3 groups. Group A and group B received TEE and KT in addition to SE, respectively, while group C received only SE. All exercises were performed five days a week for three weeks. KT was applied every three days, for a total of 5 applications. Assessments included shoulder pain intensity (visual analog scale), pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the upper trapezius and pectoralis major (algometer), self-reported disability (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) and health status (Short Form-36), AROM (universal goniometer), isometric strength of the shoulder (hand-held dynamometer), and thoracic kyphosis (inclinometer).
RESULTS
Pain decreased by approximately 3.1-4.4 cm on the visual analog scale, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores improved by 20-23 points, and shoulder AROM increased by 7-50° across groups (P < .05). PPT increased by 2.7-7.2 kg/cm 2 in measures showing statistically significant improvement (P < .05). Isometric shoulder strength increased in groups A and B (P < .05), whereas no significant strength changes were observed in group C (P > .05). Between-group comparisons demonstrated greater improvements in PPT of the pectoralis major and shoulder abductor and adductor strength in the groups receiving thoracic interventions compared with SE alone (P < .05).
CONCLUSION
Although all interventions improved most outcomes, adding TEE or KT to SE resulted in greater improvements in pain sensitivity and shoulder muscle strength, with no superiority between TEE and KT. Longer-term studies are warranted.