Effect of elastic scapular taping on shoulder and spine kinematics in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of scapular repositioning using an elastic taping technique on the three-dimensional (3-D) shoulder and thoracic kinematics during various activities of daily living (ADLs) in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Methods Shoulder and spine kinematics during five ADL movement tasks were assessed in 24 adolescents with IS (3 males and 21 females; mean age: 15.8 years; age range: 14-17 years) before and 15 min after elastic scapular taping. All the participants had a moderate curve magnitude (Cobb angle: 20 degrees-45 degrees), with a primary thoracic curve. A 3-D electromagnetic tracking system (Ascension Technology Corporation, Shelburne, VT, USA) was used to record 3-D shoulder and thoracic kinematics. ADI, movement tasks included touching the mouth/drinking, touching the back, touching the contralateral shoulder, reaching upward, and bilateral 4-kg weight lifting. Two separate strips of elastic tape were applied using the same correction technique for each shoulder and scapular region to control scapular alterations in the resting position. Results: Elastic scapular taping significantly improved scapular external rotation and scapular upward rotation. Similarly, humeral horizontal adduction, external rotation, thoracic flexion, and lateral bending significantly increased in the taped condition depending on the specific task (p<0.05). Conclusion: Elastic scapular taping can change scapular orientations on the convex and concave sides, thereby affecting upper extremity and trunk kinematics. Thus, the dynamic stability of the scapula increases to produce larger movements during functional activities.