%0 Journal Article
%T Effect of Box Taping as an Adjunct to Stretching-Strengthening Exercise Program in Correction of Scapular Alignment in People with Forward Shoulder Posture: A Randomised Trial
%A Neha Dewan
%A Kavitha Raja
%A Ganesh Balthillaya Miyaru
%A Joy C. MacDermid
%J ISRN Rehabilitation
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/510137
%X Objective. The objective of this study was to provide preliminary estimates of effects of box taping as an adjunct to stretching-strengthening exercise program on scapular alignment in healthy subjects with forward shoulder posture (FSP). Methods. Sixty subjects were screened and 38 asymptomatic subjects with FSP were allocated into box taping and standard treatment group using block randomization. Both groups received a supervised stretching-strengthening exercise program and postural advice for 15 sessions over 3 weeks. In addition, box taping was applied to the intervention group. Static and dynamic scapular alignment was recorded at baseline, 7th and 15th sessions. Differences over time and between the treatment groups were determined using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results. Twenty subjects completed the study. Both interventions were well tolerated and resulted in improvements in static and dynamic postural indicators over time in both groups ( ) except for dynamic scapular alignment by the 15th session. We were under powered to detect differences between the groups ( ). Conclusions. This study suggests postural exercises improve scapular alignment; but a large RCT is required to determine whether the addition of box taping is indicated, and whether this preventative approach reduces the incidence of upper quarter musculoskeletal disorders. This trial is registered with CTRI/2013/10/004095. 1. Introduction Patients referred to physical therapy with impaired upper extremity function, often exhibit postural alterations [1]. Forward shoulders is a common maladaptive posture which occurs in up to 73% of the group of healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 50 years [2, 3]. Kendall et al. described forward shoulders as abduction and elevation of the scapula and a forward position of the shoulders, giving an appearance of a hollow chest [4, 5]. Forward Shoulder Posture (FSP) is characterized by a protracted, downwardly rotated, and anteriorly tipped scapula position with increased cervical lordosis and upper thoracic kyphosis [6]. This pattern may be associated with tightness of serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, pectoralis major and upper trapezius muscle, and weakness of middle and lower trapezius [3]. The imbalance in muscle function is believed to result in reduction of amplitude in posterior tilting and lateral rotation of the scapula during arm elevation [7¨C9]. The literature has shown that altered scapular kinematics and associated muscle imbalance in FSP places the anterior acromion in close proximity to rotator cuff
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.rehabilitation/2014/510137/