Rotator Cuff TearsRCR-KTNCT07375927
Effect of Kinesio Taping After Rotator Cuff Surgery
A study testing Kinesio Taping and Standard Postoperative Rehabilitation in people with Rotator Cuff Tears and Shoulder Pain, run by Olcay Yavuz at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding Kinesio Taping (KT) to a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program improves early clinical recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Rotator Cuff Tears, Shoulder Pain, Post Operative Pain
- What is being tested?
- Kinesio Taping and Standard Postoperative Rehabilitation
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 52 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 30 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 40 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals aged between 40 and 70 years
- Patients with clinical suspicion of rotator cuff tear on physical examination and a diagnosis established by magnetic resonance imaging, with intraoperative confirmation
- Patients with at least two positive impingement tests on physical examination (Jobe, Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer)
- Patients without a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Patients without a history or current diagnosis of cervical pathology
- Patients with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 3 or higher for at least 3 months prior to surgery
- Patients able to participate regularly in postoperative follow-up for a period of one year
- Patients who agree to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of shoulder dislocation
- History of fracture involving the shoulder or surrounding structures
- Inability to comply with postoperative treatment or attend regular follow-up visits
- Known skin hypersensitivity or allergy to kinesio taping
- Known rheumatologic or neurological disease
- History of previous shoulder or peri-shoulder surgery
- Presence of cervical disc pathology
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, 34785
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating the Effect of Postoperative Kinesio Taping on Pain and Functional Recovery Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
This prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding Kinesio Taping (KT) to a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program improves early clinical recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear were randomized to receive either standardized rehabilitation combined with KT or standardized rehabilitation alone. Postoperative pain intensity was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included shoulder range of motion, postoperative edema, Constant-Murley Score, QuickDASH score, and postoperative complications. Participants were assessed preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3.
Read the detailed description
This prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of adding postoperative Kinesio Taping (KT) to a standardized rehabilitation program on pain, edema, shoulder range of motion, and functional recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Patients aged 40-70 years who underwent arthroscopic repair of an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear measuring 1-3 cm in the mediolateral dimension were eligible for inclusion. Tear size was confirmed intraoperatively using a calibrated arthroscopic probe. Only tears with Patte grade I-II tendon retraction and Goutallier grade 2 or lower fatty degeneration were included.
Patients with massive or multiple-tendon rotator cuff tears, subscapularis involvement, previous surgery on the affected shoulder, glenohumeral arthritis, systemic inflammatory disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, or a known allergy to adhesive or kinesiology tape were excluded.
After providing written informed consent, eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups using a computer-generated block randomization sequence with variable block sizes. Allocation concealment was maintained using sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes.
Participants in the intervention group received KT for 3 weeks in addition to the standardized postoperative rehabilitation program. KT was initiated on postoperative day 1 and reapplied every three days during the first four postoperative weeks, with each application maintained continuously for approximately 72 hours. Participants in the control group followed the same standardized postoperative rehabilitation program without taping. All KT applications were performed by the same certified physiotherapist using a standardized technique.
Because of the visible nature of the intervention, participants and outcome assessors were not blinded to group allocation. However, the assessors were not involved in generating the randomization sequence or concealing treatment allocation.
The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included shoulder forward flexion and abduction, postoperative edema, shoulder function measured using the Constant-Murley Score, upper-extremity disability measured using the QuickDASH questionnaire, and postoperative complications, including tape-related skin reactions.
Postoperative edema was assessed by measuring the circumference of the operated shoulder at a standardized point in the deltoid region and comparing it with the contralateral shoulder. Shoulder range of motion was measured using a standard goniometer. Each range-of-motion measurement was repeated three times, and the mean value was recorded.
Clinical assessments were performed preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3. Outcomes were compared between the two groups and evaluated longitudinally to determine whether the addition of KT influenced the pattern of early postoperative recovery following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
- Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Tears, Shoulder Pain, Post Operative Pain
- Being tested
- Kinesio Taping, Standard Postoperative Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- Rotator Cuff Tears, Kinesio Taping, Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair, Postoperative Rehabilitation
- Medical subject headings
- Rotator Cuff Injuries, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Postoperative
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kinesio TapingProcedure or surgery
Application of kinesio taping to the operated shoulder during the postoperative period as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation.
Standard Postoperative RehabilitationProcedure or surgery
Standard postoperative rehabilitation program following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Taping Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, in addition to kinesio taping applied for three weeks during the postoperative period. Receives: Procedure: Kinesio Taping; Procedure: Standard Postoperative Rehabilitation |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation alone following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, without the application of kinesio taping. Receives: Procedure: Standard Postoperative Rehabilitation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain intensity.
Measured: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Secondary outcomes (6)
Forward Flexion
Active forward flexion of the affected shoulder will be measured in degrees using a goniometer. The participant will raise the arm sideways as far as possible without assistance. At each assessment time point, the measurement will be repeated three times, and the mean of the three values will be recorded. The measured angle will be recorded from 0° to 180°, with higher values indicating greater shoulder range of motion. Change from baseline will be calculated at each prespecified follow-up visit.
Measured: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Abduction
Active abduction of the affected shoulder will be measured in degrees using a goniometer. The participant will raise the arm sideways as far as possible without assistance. At each assessment time point, the measurement will be repeated three times, and the mean of the three values will be recorded. The measured angle will be recorded from 0° to 180°, with higher values indicating greater shoulder range of motion. Change from baseline will be calculated at each prespecified follow-up visit.
Measured: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Postoperative Edema Assessed by Relative Shoulder Circumference
Postoperative edema was assessed circumferentially using a non-elastic measuring tape at a standardized point corresponding to the midpoint of the deltoid region. The contralateral shoulder served as the reference. Relative edema was expressed as a percentage and calculated as: [(operated-side circumference - contralateral-side circumference) / contralateral-side circumference] × 100. A value of 0% indicated equal circumference between shoulders. Higher positive values indicated greater postoperative edema and a worse outcome, whereas values closer to 0% indicated less edema and a better outcome.
Measured: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Shoulder Function (Constant-Murley Score)
Shoulder function was assessed using the Constant-Murley Score, which evaluates pain (0-15 points), activities of daily living (0-20 points), range of motion (0-40 points), and strength (0-25 points). The total score ranges from 0 to 100 points. Higher scores indicate better shoulder function and therefore a better outcome, whereas lower scores indicate greater impairment and a worse outcome.
Measured: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Upper Extremity Function (QuickDASH Score)
Upper extremity function and disability will be assessed using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. The QuickDASH score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater upper extremity disability and therefore worse functional outcome.
Measured: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Postoperative Complications
Postoperative complications, including wound problems, infection, clinically important shoulder stiffness, repair-related complications, and tape-related skin reactions, will be recorded. The outcome will be reported as the number and percentage of participants who experience one or more postoperative complications.
Measured: From the date of surgery through postoperative month 3
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion28 Jul 2026
- Study completion30 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Rotator Cuff TearsStudies 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
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a kinesio taping group or a control group.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Olcay Yavuz
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Olcay Yavuz, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07375927
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- RCR-KT-2026
- Acronym
- RCR-KT
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared other researchers.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Study Evaluating the Effect of Postoperative Kinesio Taping on Pain and Functional Recovery Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07375927
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- RCR-KT / RCR-KT-2026
- Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Tears, Shoulder Pain, Post Operative Pain
- Keywords
- Rotator Cuff Tears, Kinesio Taping, Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair, Postoperative Rehabilitation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Olcay YavuzUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Jan 2026 (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 prospective randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding Kinesio Taping (KT) to a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program improves early clinical recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear were randomized to receive either standardized rehabilitation combined with KT or standardized rehabilitation alone. Postoperative pain intensity was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included shoulder range of motion, postoperative edema, Constant-Murley Score, QuickDASH score, and postoperative complications. Participants were assessed preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3.
Detailed description
This prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of adding postoperative Kinesio Taping (KT) to a standardized rehabilitation program on pain, edema, shoulder range of motion, and functional recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Patients aged 40-70 years who underwent arthroscopic repair of an isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tear measuring 1-3 cm in the mediolateral dimension were eligible for inclusion. Tear size was confirmed intraoperatively using a calibrated arthroscopic probe. Only tears with Patte grade I-II tendon retraction and Goutallier grade 2 or lower fatty degeneration were included.
Patients with massive or multiple-tendon rotator cuff tears, subscapularis involvement, previous surgery on the affected shoulder, glenohumeral arthritis, systemic inflammatory disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, or a known allergy to adhesive or kinesiology tape were excluded.
After providing written informed consent, eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups using a computer-generated block randomization sequence with variable block sizes. Allocation concealment was maintained using sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes.
Participants in the intervention group received KT for 3 weeks in addition to the standardized postoperative rehabilitation program. KT was initiated on postoperative day 1 and reapplied every three days during the first four postoperative weeks, with each application maintained continuously for approximately 72 hours. Participants in the control group followed the same standardized postoperative rehabilitation program without taping. All KT applications were performed by the same certified physiotherapist using a standardized technique.
Because of the visible nature of the intervention, participants and outcome assessors were not blinded to group allocation. However, the assessors were not involved in generating the randomization sequence or concealing treatment allocation.
The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included shoulder forward flexion and abduction, postoperative edema, shoulder function measured using the Constant-Murley Score, upper-extremity disability measured using the QuickDASH questionnaire, and postoperative complications, including tape-related skin reactions.
Postoperative edema was assessed by measuring the circumference of the operated shoulder at a standardized point in the deltoid region and comparing it with the contralateral shoulder. Shoulder range of motion was measured using a standard goniometer. Each range-of-motion measurement was repeated three times, and the mean value was recorded.
Clinical assessments were performed preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3. Outcomes were compared between the two groups and evaluated longitudinally to determine whether the addition of KT influenced the pattern of early postoperative recovery following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a kinesio taping group or a control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesio Taping Group | Experimental | Procedure: Kinesio Taping, Procedure: Standard Postoperative RehabilitationParticipants in this group will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, in addition to kinesio taping applied for three weeks during the postoperative period. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Procedure: Standard Postoperative RehabilitationParticipants in this group will receive standard postoperative rehabilitation alone following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, without the application of kinesio taping. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Individuals aged between 40 and 70 years
- Patients with clinical suspicion of rotator cuff tear on physical examination and a diagnosis established by magnetic resonance imaging, with intraoperative confirmation
- Patients with at least two positive impingement tests on physical examination (Jobe, Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer)
- Patients without a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Patients without a history or current diagnosis of cervical pathology
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of shoulder dislocation
- History of fracture involving the shoulder or surrounding structures
- Inability to comply with postoperative treatment or attend regular follow-up visits
- Known skin hypersensitivity or allergy to kinesio taping
- Known rheumatologic or neurological disease
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 TapingApplication of kinesio taping to the operated shoulder during the postoperative period as an adjunct to standard rehabilitation. | Procedure or surgery | Kinesio Taping Group |
| Standard Postoperative RehabilitationStandard postoperative rehabilitation program following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. | Procedure or surgery | Control Group, Kinesio Taping Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS)
Time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate worse pain intensity.
6 secondary outcomes
Forward Flexion
Time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Abduction
Time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Postoperative Edema Assessed by Relative Shoulder Circumference
Time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Shoulder Function (Constant-Murley Score)
Time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Upper Extremity Function (QuickDASH Score)
Time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 3
Postoperative Complications
Time frame: From the date of surgery through postoperative month 3
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared other researchers.
Related trials for Rotator Cuff Tears
Active, not recruitingPhase 2
Influence of an Anti-osteoporotic Drug on Healing After Surgical Repair of Chronic Rotator Cuff Lesions of the Shoulder
Orthopedics, Traumatology
Recruiting
SMR Stemless Reverse vs SMR Reverse Shoulder System
Arthroplasty, Replacement
Active, not recruiting
BioBrace® Implant for Arthroscopic Repair of Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator Cuff Tears
Active, not recruiting
Lyophilized Platelet-Rich Plasma Lysate vs Dextrose Prolotherapy for Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator Cuff Tear, Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Active, not recruiting
Efficacy and Safety of Digital Therapeutics for Improving Shoulder Function After Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy, Repair of a Cuff Tear
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kinesio Taping and Standard Postoperative Rehabilitation in people with Rotator Cuff Tears and Shoulder Pain, run by Olcay Yavuz at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 8 inclusion and 7 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) (time frame: Postoperative day 1, week 2, week 6, and month 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 30 Sep 2026.