ObjectiveTo observe the effect of kinesio tape (KT) combined with progressive resistance training (PRT) in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), and to explore whether the direction of KT affects the therapeutic effect of SIS.MethodsBetween May 2017 and March 2019, 90 participants with SIS in West China Hospital, Sichuan University were randomly divided into three groups, with 30 participants in each group. Participants were treated with KT combined with PRT, and the direction of the KT is from the proximal end of the rotator cuff muscles to the distal end in group A. Participants were treated with KT combined with PRT, and the direction of the KT is from the distal end of the rotator cuff muscles to the proximal end in group B. Participants were treated with PRT alone in group C. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain in patients at rest, during movement and at night; range of motion (ROM) of shoulder and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) outcome questionnaire were used to measure the physical function before treatment and after 1 week and 2 weeks.ResultsAfter 1 week of treatment, ROM of shoulder abduction, internal rotation and DASH scores in group A were significantly improved compared with those in group B and C (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the nighttime VAS score, ROM of shoulder abduction, internal rotation and DASH score scores in group A were significantly improved compared with those in group B and C (P<0.05). The VAS score during movement, nighttime VAS score, ROM of shoulder (except external rotation) and DASH score in group A were significantly improved after 1 week and 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05); and after 2 weeks of treatment, the nighttime VAS score, ROM of shoulder flexion and internal rotation in group B were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the VAS score during movement, nighttime VAS score, ROM of shoulder (except external rotation) in group C were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.05).ConclusionKT combined with PRT is more effective than PRT alone in the treatment of SIS, and the therapeutic effect is related to the direction of the tape.