Kinesiology Tape for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Overseen By Donnamarie Krause, OTD, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Disqualifiers: Cognitively impaired, Pregnant, Skin conditions, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 3 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether kinesiology tape can help manage symptoms like numbness and pain in individuals experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms while gaming. It also examines whether the tape's color, specifically red compared to skin tone, affects performance in first-person shooter games. Participants will try both tape colors to determine which works best for them. This trial suits esports gamers who play over 5 hours a week and experience hand or wrist discomfort. As an unphased trial, it offers gamers an opportunity to explore new methods to enhance comfort and performance.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that kinesiology tape is safe for managing carpal tunnel syndrome-like symptoms in esports gamers?

Research has shown that kinesiology tape is generally safe for use on the skin. Although specific safety data for the red and skin tone tapes in this study is unavailable, kinesiology tape is commonly used for various issues, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and most people tolerate it well.

Some studies suggest that kinesiology tape can help reduce pain and improve hand function in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, like any skin treatment, some individuals might experience mild irritation or discomfort. If this occurs, it is usually minor and resolves once the tape is removed.

Overall, kinesiology tape is considered a low-risk treatment. If there are any concerns or discomfort, it is important to consult the study team or a healthcare provider. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using kinesiology tape for carpal tunnel syndrome because it offers a non-invasive and potentially effective alternative to standard treatments like wrist splints and surgery. Unlike traditional treatments, the study is exploring the impact of tape color, specifically red, on motor function and performance, which could provide a novel approach to managing symptoms. The study also investigates whether a simple tape application can offer similar or even superior benefits compared to more complex interventions, potentially making it a convenient option for patients seeking relief.

What evidence suggests that kinesiology tape is effective for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Research has shown that kinesiology tape can help manage carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. In one study, participants with this condition who used the tape experienced less pain and had stronger grips. Another study found that applying the tape on the back of the hand, regardless of color, significantly reduced pain. This trial will compare red kinesiology tape with skin tone kinesiology tape. While the trial compares these two colors, current evidence suggests both can reduce pain and improve hand function in people with symptoms similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Donnamarie Krause, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for esports gamers who have symptoms like those of carpal tunnel syndrome. Participants will be randomly assigned to use either red or skin-tone kinesiology tape on their dominant hand and wrist, and must visit the site twice.

Inclusion Criteria

I experience numbness or pain in my hands, wrists, or fingers.

Has a positive Phalen's test result

Reports to play video games over 5 hours a week on average

Exclusion Criteria

I have open wounds where the tape would be applied.

Pregnant

I have a history of skin conditions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive kinesiology tape applied dorsally on the hand and wrist, with a 7-day washout period between applications of different tape colors

3 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Red Kinesiology Tape

Trial Overview The study tests if dorsally applied kinesiology tape can manage carpal tunnel-like symptoms in esports gamers, and whether the color of the tape (red vs. skin tone) affects performance in first-person shooter games.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Red Kinesiology Tape Applied with the Dorsal Application for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The red kinesiology tape will be applied with the dorsal application for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is explained and utilized in Krause et al. (2020). The color red has been found in previous studies to impact motor function and performance in various activities specifically when looking at activities of an aggressive or competitive nature. Thus red was chosen when assessing the color effect of red in first-person shooter games which require outperforming the opponent with quick reaction time, accuracy, and aggression. Each participant will receive the red KT application only once. The order of which they receive the red KT or the skin tone KT will depend on their random assignment to group X or Y. The KT will be applied by an interventionist trained in proper KT application. Participants will be educated on self-removal specifically given by the manufacturer of the brand of KT used (Sparthos Tape). There will be a 7 day washout period between tape applications.

Group II: Skin Tone Kinesiology Tape Applied with the Dorsal Application for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Active Control 1 Intervention

The skin tone kinesiology tape will be applied with the dorsal application for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is explained and utilized in Krause et al. (2020). Sparthos KT offers skin tone KT covering multiple shades to allow the closest color to match the participant's skin. Utilizing other skin tones other than beige allows inclusion and diversity. The skin tone KT was chosen to diminish the effect of the KT color to allow better isolation and study of the effect of the color red in comparison. Each participant will receive the skin tone KT application only once. The order in which they receive the red KT or the skin tone KT will depend on their random assignment to group X or Y. The KT will be applied by an interventionist trained in proper KT application. Participants will be educated on self-removal specifically given by the manufacturer of the brand of KT used (Sparthos Tape). There will be a 7 day washout period between tape applications.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lead Sponsor

Trials

81

Recruited

14,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 9,515 corticosteroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome, only four serious complications were reported, indicating a low incidence of severe side effects.

While 33% of patients reported some side effects, the most common was temporary local pain in 13% of cases, which resolved within three weeks, suggesting that most adverse effects are mild and transient.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome. Kaile, E., Bland, JDP.[2019]

In a study involving 44 participants with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Kinesio tape significantly reduced pain levels in the forearm and wrist compared to both a standard treatment protocol and a sham tape, indicating its efficacy as a conservative treatment option.

Kinesio tape not only improved pain but also enhanced functional outcomes for individuals with CTS, outperforming the standard cockup orthosis and lumbrical stretching exercises, suggesting it may be a beneficial alternative for managing CTS symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative efficacy of the dorsal application of Kinesio tape and splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Krause, D., Roll, SC., Javaherian-Dysinger, H., et al.[2021]

Steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome are generally considered safe, but there is a risk of nerve injury, as demonstrated in two reported cases.

One case involved a mild ulnar nerve lesion that recovered well, while a more severe median nerve lesion resulted in poor response to conservative treatment, highlighting the potential complications of this intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nerve injury following steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome. A report of two cases. Tavares, SP., Giddins, GE.[2019]

Kinesio taping has a strong short-term effect on improving distal sensory latency in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, based on a meta-analysis of 13 studies involving 665 participants.

While kinesio taping also shows weak improvements in functionality and pain, it does not significantly outperform other physical therapy techniques or untreated controls for symptom severity, strength, or neurophysiological outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term effectiveness of kinesio taping as therapeutic tool in conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Tomás-Escolar, A., Merino-Andrés, J., Sánchez-Sierra, A., et al.[2023]

Kinesio tape (KT) significantly reduces the stiffness of lumbar paraspinal muscles at the superficial depth, as shown by a decrease in shear stiffness values measured by MR elastography in a study of 66 asymptomatic volunteers.

The study found no significant differences in muscle stiffness changes based on gender or taping direction, indicating that KT's effects on muscle stiffness are consistent across different demographics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Assessment of Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping on Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles. Wang, CK., Fang, YD., Lin, LC., et al.[2020]

A study of 366 female participants found that conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypothyroidism, and pregnancy are significantly associated with increased severity of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and functional limitations, as measured by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ).

The use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and smartphones was linked to functional limitations in CTS, but these factors did not affect symptom severity, highlighting the need for clinical confirmation of CTS to differentiate it from other potential causes of these symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Risk factors associated with the reported scores on the symptoms severity and functional limitations scales of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire: a cross-sectional study. Al-Jasim, A., Sarhan, FMA., Al-Abbasi, G., et al.[2023]

Limited carpal tunnel release surgery leads to better early recovery of grip and pinch strength, allowing patients to return to activities sooner compared to standard release, based on a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1020 patients.

The limited incision approach also reduces operative time and has a lower rate of adverse events compared to the standard method, although long-term outcomes after 6 months are similar for both techniques.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The comparison of limited-incision versus standard-incision in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Li, G., Kong, L., Kou, N., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of eight randomized controlled trials found limited to moderate evidence that Kinesio Tex tape (KTT) is not more effective than sham or usual care tape for managing various clinical conditions, including musculoskeletal issues and lymphedema.

One moderate quality trial suggested that KTT combined with physiotherapy may help with short-term pain relief for plantar fasciitis, but concerns about the study's internal validity raise doubts about its reliability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review. Morris, D., Jones, D., Ryan, H., et al.[2022]

In a study of 45 patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, Kinesio taping combined with physical therapy showed significantly better improvements in disability and symptoms compared to night splinting and control groups after 4 weeks.

Kinesio taping was more effective than night splinting in reducing symptoms, although both treatments were better than no intervention, suggesting that Kinesio taping may be a preferred option for rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and Night Splinting Along With Physical Therapy Intervention on Symptoms and Functionality: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial for Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Eraslan, L., Baltaci, G.[2023]

The study involved 424 patients with 567 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, aiming to improve the carpal tunnel syndrome instrument (CTSI) by converting it from an ordinal to an interval scale using Rasch analysis, which revealed that the original CTSI was not unidimensional.

The transformed interval scale provided more accurate assessments of patient outcomes compared to the original ordinal scale, highlighting the importance of using the correct measurement scale for evaluating surgical outcomes in carpal tunnel syndrome.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rasch analysis of the carpal tunnel syndrome instrument. Doi, K., Mane, SA., Hattori, Y., et al.[2023]

Kinesiotaping (KT) significantly improved pain levels and functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared to placebo KT and orthotic devices, suggesting it is a viable alternative treatment option.

All treatment groups showed improvement in pain and functional scores, but grip strength only significantly increased in the orthotic device group, indicating that while KT is beneficial, it may not enhance grip strength as effectively as orthotic devices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Kinesiotaping as an alternative treatment method for carpal tunnel syndrome. Geler Külcü, D., Bursali, C., Aktaş, İ., et al.[2018]

Kinesio taping (KT) significantly improved wrist kinematics and functional performance during dart throwing motion in a study of 72 healthy participants, showing that KT is effective regardless of the specific muscle targeted.

Both KT and placebo taping (PT) led to improvements, but KT demonstrated greater changes in wrist movement and dexterity, suggesting it may be a more beneficial treatment for enhancing wrist function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Kinesio taping on wrist kinematics and functional performance: A randomized controlled trial. Oruk, DÖ., Karakaya, MG., Yenişehir, S., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39582988/

Effects of Kinesio tape on individuals with carpal tunnel ... The kinesio-taping group demonstrated an improvement in grip strength with a median increase of 2.21 kg (IQR: 0.65-3.79 kg), compared to the ...

2. oasis.library.unlv.edu oasis.library.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/5341/

"Less Pain, More Game: Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal ... The results indicated that regardless of kinesiology tape color, dorsally applied KT significantly reduced pain symptom severity with a large effect size and ...

3. connect.careboxhealth.com connect.careboxhealth.com/en-US/trial/listing/564681

Efficacy of Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal Tunnel-Like ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if dorsally applied kinesiology tape is an effective conservative treatment for symptoms of carpal tunnel ...

4. hasekidergisi.com hasekidergisi.com/articles/effects-of-kinesio-taping-in-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-treatment-a-randomized-controlled-trial/haseki.galenos.2025.69885

Effects of Kinesio Taping in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ... Kinesio taping in addition to exercises is more effective in improving pain, symptom severity, and hand grip strength in patients with CTS.

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/kinesiology-tape-for-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-30ed8

Kinesiology Tape for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In a study involving 44 participants with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Kinesio tape significantly reduced pain levels in the forearm and wrist ...

6. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-023-06285-1

Study on the effect, safety, prognosis quality and application ... Study on the effect, safety, prognosis quality and application value of extracorporeal shock wave based neural activity in carpal tunnel ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/rehabilitation-sciences/articles/10.3389/fresc.2024.1494707/full

Effects of Kinesio tape on individuals with carpal tunnel ... This study suggested that KT can be a supplementary treatment to relieve pain intensity, enhance hand grip strength, and improve sensory conduction velocity.

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/351972143_A_review_of_the_efficacy_of_Kinesio_taping_in_carpal_tunnel_syndrome

A review of the efficacy of Kinesio taping in carpal tunnel ... The aim of this review is to investigate the efficacy of the use of Kinesio Tape (KT) in patients with CTS as the sole treatment or in ...