Short-term effects of kinesiology taping, dry needling and their combination in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

In 30 seconds

This four-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial compared kinesiology taping (KT), dry needling (DN), their combination, and physical therapy modalities (PTM), each alongside exercise, in 80 adults with subacromial pain syndrome. Interventions lasted 3 weeks, with pain and functional disability assessed at baseline, week 1, and week 3. All groups improved in pain, disability, and kinesiophobia (p < 0.01). At week 3, pain reduction was greater with combined DN and KT than with PTM; functional improvement was similar across groups.

Key findings

• All four groups had within-group improvements in pain, functional disability, and kinesiophobia (p < 0.01).
• At week 3, pain reduction was greater with combined DN and KT than with PTM.
• Kinesiophobia showed a similar pattern, although improvement with KT alone was comparable to the combined group.
• Functional disability improved similarly across the four groups.

Why it matters

The trial suggests that several adjuncts used with exercise may accompany short-term improvement in subacromial pain syndrome. The comparative results distinguish outcomes: combined DN and KT showed greater pain reduction than PTM, while disability improvement did not differ meaningfully across groups. This helps frame the evidence as outcome-specific rather than indicating a general advantage for one intervention.

What to keep in mind

The study assessed outcomes over only 3 weeks, so it does not establish whether improvements persist longer term.