Hiltbrand, JM, Running, KS, Davies, GJ, Kernozek, T, Matheson, JW; University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA. jewlz96@hotmail.com.

PURPOSE: There has been no previous research addressing the use of McConnell shoulder taping and it’s effects on joint position sense. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of McConnell taping in altering shoulder joint position sense in subjects with multidirectional laxity (MDL) of the shoulder. SUBJECTS: Thirty female subjects participated in this study. Fifteen subjects with no laxity represented the control group. Fifteen subjects presented with MDL based on unanimous agreement of three clinicians on sulcus sign test and 3 out of 4 positive findings on the Breighton Scale. METHODS: The Motion Monitor Electromagnetic Tracking System was used to measure shoulder joint angle replication. The positions tested were flexion at 60^o and 120^o, and abduction at 60^o and 120^o. Subjects were randomly chosen to perform trials in either a taped or no taped condition first. For each trial, visual input was removed and the subject’s arm was passively placed at a specific predetermined angle. The subject’s arm was then passively placed at their side and they were asked to reproduce the previous position, given no feedback from the testers. The subjects completed 3 trials at each shoulder angle for each condition (tape and no tape). ANALYSIS: The resultant was calculated for each trial taking the difference between the passively placed angle and the actively reproduced angle. For each trial the resultant error was calculated from the X, Y, and Z error components. An average resultant of 3 trials were computed and compared between conditions and joint angles. These resultants were analyzed using an ANOVA with repeated measures (a =0.05), 1-between (group) and 2-within (angle and condition) design. Separate ANOVA’s were calculated for abduction and flexion. RESULTS: For abduction measures, differences were found between conditions, tape vs. no tape (p=0.008). Results indicated a slight increase in accuracy of joint position sense by less than 2^o when tape was applied. No differences were found between groups (MDL vs. non-laxity) and angles tested (60^o vs. 120^o) for abduction. For flexion measurements, differences were found between angles (p=0.020) and conditions (p=0.027). Results indicated a greater accuracy in joint angle replication at 120^o. This indicated that the application of tape affected joint position sense for both groups resulted in an increase in accuracy of less than 2^o. CONCLUSION: The application of tape exhibited no change in joint position sense for both flexion and abduction, regardless of group. No differences were found between individuals with MDL and the control (non-laxity) group. RELEVANCE: According to the results of this study, McConnell taping for shoulder instability would not be effective in altering joint position sense for individuals with symptomatic multidirectional instability. Improvement in the accuracy of joint position sense was observed in both groups with tape applied, however, this difference was statistically significant but may not be clinically relevant. FUNDING SOURCE: UW-La Crosse Graduate Student Research Grant.

Reprint Information
Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Students and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Similar inquiries by all others should be made to the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.