Shoulder PainNCT07190768
Effectiveness of Kinesiologic Taping and Dry Needling in the Treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome
A study testing Kinesio Taping, Dry Needling and Exercise Program in people with Shoulder Pain and Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, run by Bursa City Hospital.
Trial summary
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two common physiotherapy methods, Kinesiologic Taping (KT) and Dry Needling (DN), in the treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS), a frequent cause of shoulder pain. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Kinesio Taping, Dry Needling and Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2025to 1 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18-65 years
- Pain in the upper, outer arm, especially during shoulder elevation
- Shoulder pain lasting more than 6 weeks with or without partial rotator cuff tear
- At least three of the following findings:
- Painful arc during flexion or abduction
- Positive Neer test
Show all 10Show fewer
- Positive Hawkins-Kennedy test
- Painful resisted external rotation
- Positive Jobe's test
- Diagnosis confirmed by MRI evaluation when indicated
Who cannot join
- Participation in a physical therapy program or receipt of injection therapy within the past 3 months
- Previous shoulder surgery
- Presence of joint contracture
- Complete tendon rupture
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Systemic inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
Show all 11Show fewer
- Known allergy to tape or materials used in interventions
- Bleeding disorders
- Local infection or open wound in the treatment area
- Cognitive dysfunction that prevents cooperation
- History of malignancy
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Kinesiologic Taping and Dry Needling in the Treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome: a Randomize Trial
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two common physiotherapy methods, Kinesiologic Taping (KT) and Dry Needling (DN), in the treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS), a frequent cause of shoulder pain. The trial also investigates whether using KT and DN together provides greater benefits than using them separately. The main goal is to determine which treatment approach is more effective in reducing pain and improving shoulder function in patients with SAPS.
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Being tested
- Kinesio Taping, Dry Needling, Exercise Program, Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack)
- Keywords
- Kinesiologic taping, shoulder pain, dry needling
- Medical subject headings
- Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kinesio TapingOther
Participants received Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the affected shoulder using standard 5-cm Kinesio Tex tape. Before application, an allergy test was performed by placing a small patch of tape on the contralateral forearm for 15 minutes. The taping procedure included three regions: supraspinatus muscle, deltoid muscle, and glenohumeral joint.
Application technique:
Supraspinatus: Y-strip applied from insertion on the greater tubercle along the muscle to its origin with 20-25% stretch.
Deltoid: Y-strip applied from 3 cm below insertion to the origin, with anterior and posterior tails placed along corresponding edges.
Glenohumeral joint: I-strip applied from the coracoid process, laterally under the acromion, around the posterior deltoid edge.
Schedule: Tape was applied at baseline (Day 0), reapplied at Day 7, and removed permanently at Day 14.
Dry NeedlingOther
Participants received dry needling (DN) applied with sterile, disposable stainless-steel needles (0.30 mm × 50 mm). Target muscles included the supraspinatus, deltoideus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and pectoralis major.
Technique: The "fast-in, fast-out" method (Hong technique) was used. After cleaning the skin with alcohol, the needle was inserted into a palpable taut band until the first local twitch response (LTR) was elicited. The needle was moved vertically (5-10 mm) at ~1 Hz for 25-30 seconds. DN was applied for 45-60 seconds per muscle.
Schedule: Twice per week, for 3 weeks (total of 6 sessions).
Exercise ProgramBehavioural
All participants were instructed in a standardized home-based exercise program designed to improve shoulder mobility and stability.
Content: Exercises included active range-of-motion movements, scapular stabilization, and strengthening of rotator cuff and periscapular muscles. Ergonomic advice and posture correction were also provided.
Delivery: Participants were taught the program in person and instructed to perform the exercises at home.
Schedule: Exercises were performed daily for 3 weeks, in addition to the assigned intervention for each study arm.
Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack)Device
Participants in this arm received conventional physical therapy modalities commonly used for the management of subacromial pain syndrome.
Modalities: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, or superficial heat pack were applied based on standard clinical practice.
Additional care: Sessions also included passive mobilization of the shoulder into end range, scapular stabilization exercises, and ergonomic/postural advice.
Schedule: One-hour treatment sessions, 5 days per week, for 3 consecutive weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Taping + Exercise | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Kinesio Taping; Behavioral: Exercise Program |
| Dry Needling + Exercise | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Dry Needling; Behavioral: Exercise Program |
| Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Kinesio Taping; Other: Dry Needling; Behavioral: Exercise Program |
| Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control) | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Exercise Program; Device: Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS)
Measured: Baseline, immediately after first treatment, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Shoulder function (Quick-DASH questionnaire)
Measured: Baseline, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.
Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK-19)
Measured: Baseline, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Oct 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Shoulder PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bursa City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Erkan KAYA, Bursa City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07190768
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-3
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 24 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Kinesiologic Taping and Dry Needling in the Treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome: a Randomize Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07190768
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-3
- Conditions
- Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Keywords
- Kinesiologic taping, shoulder pain, dry needling
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Bursa City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two common physiotherapy methods, Kinesiologic Taping (KT) and Dry Needling (DN), in the treatment of Subacromial Pain Syndrome (SAPS), a frequent cause of shoulder pain. The trial also investigates whether using KT and DN together provides greater benefits than using them separately. The main goal is to determine which treatment approach is more effective in reducing pain and improving shoulder function in patients with SAPS.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Taping + Exercise | Experimental | Other: Kinesio Taping, Behavioral: Exercise Program |
| Dry Needling + Exercise | Experimental | Other: Dry Needling, Behavioral: Exercise Program |
| Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise | Experimental | Other: Kinesio Taping, Other: Dry Needling, Behavioral: Exercise Program |
| Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Exercise Program, Device: Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Age 18-65 years
- Pain in the upper, outer arm, especially during shoulder elevation
- Shoulder pain lasting more than 6 weeks with or without partial rotator cuff tear
- Painful arc during flexion or abduction
- Positive Neer test
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Participation in a physical therapy program or receipt of injection therapy within the past 3 months
- Previous shoulder surgery
- Presence of joint contracture
- Complete tendon rupture
- Cervical radiculopathy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio TapingParticipants received Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the affected shoulder using standard 5-cm Kinesio Tex tape. Before application, an allergy test was performed by placing a small patch of tape on the contralateral forearm for 15 minutes. The taping procedure included three regions: supraspinatus muscle, deltoid muscle, and glenohumeral joint. Application technique: Supraspinatus: Y-strip applied from insertion on the greater tubercle along the muscle to its origin with 20-25% stretch. Deltoid: Y-strip applied from 3 cm below insertion to the origin, with anterior and posterior tails placed along corresponding edges. Glenohumeral joint: I-strip applied from the coracoid process, laterally under the acromion, around the posterior deltoid edge. Schedule: Tape was applied at baseline (Day 0), reapplied at Day 7, and removed permanently at Day 14. | Other | Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise, Kinesio Taping + Exercise |
| Dry NeedlingParticipants received dry needling (DN) applied with sterile, disposable stainless-steel needles (0.30 mm × 50 mm). Target muscles included the supraspinatus, deltoideus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and pectoralis major. Technique: The "fast-in, fast-out" method (Hong technique) was used. After cleaning the skin with alcohol, the needle was inserted into a palpable taut band until the first local twitch response (LTR) was elicited. The needle was moved vertically (5-10 mm) at ~1 Hz for 25-30 seconds. DN was applied for 45-60 seconds per muscle. Schedule: Twice per week, for 3 weeks (total of 6 sessions). | Other | Dry Needling + Exercise, Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise |
| Exercise ProgramAll participants were instructed in a standardized home-based exercise program designed to improve shoulder mobility and stability. Content: Exercises included active range-of-motion movements, scapular stabilization, and strengthening of rotator cuff and periscapular muscles. Ergonomic advice and posture correction were also provided. Delivery: Participants were taught the program in person and instructed to perform the exercises at home. Schedule: Exercises were performed daily for 3 weeks, in addition to the assigned intervention for each study arm. | Behavioural | Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control), Dry Needling + Exercise, Kinesio Taping + Dry Needling + Exercise, Kinesio Taping + Exercise |
| Conventional Physical Therapy (TENS/Ultrasound/Heat pack)Participants in this arm received conventional physical therapy modalities commonly used for the management of subacromial pain syndrome. Modalities: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, or superficial heat pack were applied based on standard clinical practice. Additional care: Sessions also included passive mobilization of the shoulder into end range, scapular stabilization exercises, and ergonomic/postural advice. Schedule: One-hour treatment sessions, 5 days per week, for 3 consecutive weeks. | Device | Conventional Physical Therapy + Exercise (Control) |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS)
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after first treatment, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.
2 secondary outcomes
Shoulder function (Quick-DASH questionnaire)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.
Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK-19)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kinesio Taping, Dry Needling and Exercise Program in people with Shoulder Pain and Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, run by Bursa City Hospital.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Erkan Kaya, Associate Prof. (+905056719830, doktorerkankaya@yahoo.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) (time frame: Baseline, immediately after first treatment, 1 week after first treatment, and at the end of week 3.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Sep 2025.