Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping With Rounded Shoulder Posture in University Students

• Kinesiotaping (Other): Elastic kinesiology tape will be applied by a licensed physiotherapist with experience in taping. With the participant standing in scapular retraction and neutral posture, a Y- or I-strip is placed from the anterior aspect of the acromion toward the spinous process of T10, with 30-40% stretch over the mid-portion and 0% tension on anchors. A second overlay strip will be applied along the same path with 30-40% stretch to augment the mechanical cue. Skin will be cleaned and dried; hair trimmed if needed. Tape will be rubbed to activate adhesive. Total application time ≈3-5 minutes. Tape remains in place during immediate (≤3 minutes) and short-term (\~30 minutes) assessments and is then removed. Adverse skin reactions will be monitored; tape will be removed immediately if irritation occurs.
• Kinesiotaping(no tension) (Other): The sham application is performed in the same area and configuration as the experimental arm; however, the strip is applied completely without tension (0%) along its length and does not provide a therapeutic mechanical cue. To maintain blinding, a second strip is applied along the same path with 0% tension and approximately 50% overlap. Skin preparation and application-removal procedures are identical to the experimental condition. The tape remains in place during the immediate (≤3 minutes) and short-term (\~30 minutes) assessments and is then removed.

Primary outcomes

• posture assessment [Baseline (pre-taping), immediately after application, and 30 minutes post-application.]: PostureScreen Mobile is a valid and reliable mobile application that provides clinical-level postural assessment and analysis. The application uses photographs captured with a mobile device camera from anterior, lateral, and posterior views to evaluate body alignment, asymmetries, and postural deviations. Through visual analysis, the application performs angular and linear measurements to support objective postural evaluation. Planned measurement parameters include head translation (cm), head tilt angle, shoulder translation (cm), shoulder tilt angle, rib cage translation (cm), rib cage tilt angle, pelvic translation (cm), pelvic tilt angle, craniovertebral angle, kyphosis angle, and pelvic tilt. To ensure measurement consistency, the mobile device camera position will be standardized at a fixed distance and height for all participants. To enhance visibility and measurement accuracy, participants will be assessed barefoot and wearing only underwear during photographic capture.

Secondary outcomes

• Assessment of Joint Range of Motion [Measured at baseline, immediately after taping (≤3 minutes), and 30 minutes post-taping; primary comparison is change from baseline]: Shoulder range of motion will be assessed using the Goniometer Pro smartphone application, which provides valid and reliable angular measurements. Shoulder flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, and internal and external rotation will be evaluated. For each measurement, the smartphone will be securely fixed to the segment being assessed and calibrated to zero in the neutral position. During shoulder flexion and abduction measurements, the device will be positioned on the lateral surface of the humerus. For internal and external rotation measurements, the device will be placed on the dorsal surface of the forearm (ulna) with the shoulder positioned at 90 degrees of abduction. Participants will be aligned in standardized test positions, and compensatory movements, including scapular elevation and lumbar extension, will be manually restricted. The limb will be moved to the end range of the target motion, and the angular value will be recorded. Each measurement will be repeated
• Pressure pain threshold [Measured at baseline, immediately after taping (≤3 minutes), and 30 minutes post-taping; primary comparison is change from baseline]: Pressure pain threshold measurements will be performed bilaterally on the dominant and nondominant sides using a digital algometer (JTECH Medical, Commander Echo). Due to increased activity and sensitivity of the upper trapezius muscles in individuals with rounded shoulder posture, assessments will be conducted on the upper trapezius muscle. During digital algometry, pressure will be applied to the measurement site at a constant rate of approximately 1 kg/s. The pressure value at which pain is first perceived will be recorded. Three consecutive measurements will be obtained, and the mean value will be used for analysis.

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 30 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Being between 18-30 years of age
* Having an acromial distance ≥ 2.6 cm measured in the supine position with shoulders in a neutral position

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having a surgical or pathological/neurological condition in the shoulder or spine region (rotator cuff repair, subacromial impingement syndrome, acute tendinitis, cervical disc herniation, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
* Having a neurological/systemic disease that may cause sensory problems
* Having an allergic reaction to the use of the tape
* Having a skin lesion, open wound, or skin infection at the taping site
* Using medication within the last 24-48 hours
* Pregnancy

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