Man Ther. 2002 Aug; 7(3): 154-62.

Does taping influence electromyographic muscle activity in the scapular rotators in healthy shoulders?

Cools AM, Witvrouw EE, Danneels LA, Cambier DC.

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy & Postgraduate Education in Manual Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. ann.cools@rug.ac.be

Although taping techniques are commonly used in addition to exercise programmes in the rehabilitation of shoulder instability and secondary subacromial or internal impingement, few studies exist on the effect of taping on the muscle activity of the scapular rotators. The purpose of our study was to examine the influence of one particular tape on muscular activity in scapular muscles. Twenty healthy shoulders were examined with surface EMG recordings on the three parts of trapezius and serratus anterior muscle during dynamic full range of motion abduction and forward flexion. The movement direction, and tape and no-tape conditions were randomized. The statistical analyses with ANOVA repeated Measures (GLM model) showed significant differences among the means between the four muscles (P<0.05), two movement directions (P<0.05), applied resistance (P<0.01), and movement period (P<0.01). However, no significant difference was observed based on the application of tape. The results of our investigation revealed no significant influence of tape application on EMG activity in the scapular muscles in healthy subjects. Future research will be necessary to examine other parameters of neuromuscular control in order to determine possible proprioceptive changes in muscle recruitment with tape application.