Clinical effect of kinesio taping combined with dry needling to myofascial trigger point on shoulder-hand syndrome in hemiplegia patients: a randomized controlled trial
In brief
Combined dry needling and kinesio taping reduces pain and swelling more than either alone
In a double-blind trial of 84 stroke patients with shoulder-hand syndrome, adding kinesio taping to dry needling produced greater pain relief, less edema, and better arm function than dry needling or taping alone after four weeks of therapy. All groups improved, but the combined approach showed the strongest gains, suggesting a simple non-drug option to enhance rehabilitation.
- Journal
- European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 3 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Xuehai Lv, Zhengmao Xiang, Cheng Chang, Pengna Hao, Linxi Li, Nuan Yang, et al.
- PMID
- 42545155
- DOI
- 10.23736/S1973-9087.26.09209-9
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (top studies of the week, 9 August 2026).
- Picked for Rehabilitation (top studies of the week, 9 August 2026).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) is a common complication after stroke, characterized by pain, edema, and functional impairment of the upper limb. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) play a key role in its pathophysiology. Kinesio taping (KT) and dry needling (DN) have been used individually for pain management, but their combined efficacy in post-stroke SHS remains unclear. AIM: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Kinesio taping combined with dry needling in the management of MTrPs among patients with post-stroke hemiplegic shoulder-hand syndrome. DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital. POPULATION: Eighty-four individuals diagnosed with SHS were enrolled and allocated to three intervention groups. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: DN alone (Group A, N.=28), KT alone (Group B, N.=28), and combined DN+KT (Group C, N.=28). All participants received conventional rehabilitation therapy. Assessments included the Visual Analog Scale, Activities of Daily Living score assessed via the Barthel Index, Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity, passive range of motion (PROM), and an 8-figure volumetric measurement. Evaluations were conducted before and after a 28-day treatment period. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Paired t-tests were applied for within-group comparisons, and independent sample t-tests for between-group differences, with a significance threshold of P<0.05. RESULTS: Each group exhibited significant improvements across all outcome measures (P<0.05). Group C demonstrated superior results compared to both Group A and Group B in every metric (P<0.05). Statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B were observed only in the 8-figure volumetric measurement (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of DN and KT yields greater benefits than either intervention alone in alleviating pain, reducing edema, and improving functional outcomes in patients with SHS. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This combined approach offers an effective, non-pharmacological strategy that can be readily integrated into routine rehabilitation practice to enhance upper limb recovery, reduce disability, and improve quality of life in post-stroke patients with SHS.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.