title: The Effects of Rigid Scapular Taping on Acromiohumeral Distance in Healthy Shoulders: An Observational Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Compromise to the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) has been reported in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome when compared with healthy subjects. In clinical practice, patients are taped with the intention of altering scapular position and influencing the AHD. However, research to determine the effects of taping on AHD is exiguous.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of ridged taping techniques to increase posterior scapular tilt and upward scapular rotation on the AHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  1-group pretest/posttest repeated-measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human performance laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 asymptomatic participants (10 male and 10 female) age 27 y (SD 8.0 y).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ridged tapping of the scapula into posterior tilt and upward scapular rotation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound measurement of the AHD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AHD increased significantly after rigid tape application to the scapula (P < .003) in healthy shoulders in 60° of passive arm abduction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taping techniques applied to the scapula had an immediate effect of increasing the AHD in healthy shoulders in 60° of passive arm abduction. Results suggest that taping for increasing posterior scapular tilt and increasing scapular upward rotation can influence the AHD and is a useful adjunct to rehabilitation in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.
authors.forename: Alya H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Bdaiwi
authors.forename: Tanya Anne
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herrington
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Horlsey
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cools
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055052:Athletic Tape; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012540:Scapula; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: real time-ultrasound; shoulder impingement syndrome; tapping