Comparison of Kinesio Tape and Dry Needling in the Management of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy is the most debilitating musculoskeletal condition in general population and is considered to be the third commonly encountered musculoskeltal (MSK) disorder. After getting approval from ethical review committee (ERC) of Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, this Randomized control trail was initiated at Rawal General & Dental Hospital. The duration of this study was 6 months from March 10, 2023 to August 09, 2023. Forty patients of both genders between the age of 25 and 50 years who were suffering from RC tendinopathy were included in this study. Those who had any kind of cardiac complications, neurological disorders, or diabetes mellitus were excluded from this study. Two equal groups ( n = 20 each) were formed. Group A was given kinesio tape (KT) and group B was treated with dry needling (DN). Totally six sessions of each intervention were given to each patient at the rate of two sessions per week along with 10 min of interferential therapy and 10 min of moist packs to each patient. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 and Microsoft excel were used for the analysis of data. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age in group A was 35.30±8.07 and in group B it was 31.51 ± 2.46. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of SF-36 [quality of life (QoL)] at the baseline was 37.64 (1.75) in group A and 37.38 (1.31) in group B, respectively. Md (IQR) postinterventional improved with 91.31 (8.20) in group A, and in group B it was 90.37 (15.78) with P < 0.05. Within-group analysis showed a significant difference ( P < 0.05) in each group. Between-group analysis depicted a significant difference ( P < 0.05) on the Pain Numeric Scale score and an insignificant difference ( P > 0.05) on the basis of QoL (SF-36). It was revealed that KT is more effective in the reduction of disability in terms of pain as compared to DN whereas both interventions are equally effective in improving the QoL in RC tendinopathy.