30 Participants Needed

Kinesiology Tape for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

DK
SA
DK
Overseen ByDonnamarie Krause, OTD, Ph.D.
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if dorsally applied kinesiology tape is an effective conservative treatment for symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and assess the potential performance effect of the tape color in first-person shooter esports games in esports gamers who exhibit symptoms that resemble carpal tunnel syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is dorsally applied kinesiology tape able to manage carpal tunnel syndrome-like symptoms in esports gamers? Does red kinesiology tape hinder or improve performance in first-person shooter esports games in esports gamers? Researchers will compare red kinesiology tape to skin tone kinesiology tape. Both will be applied on the dorsal aspect of the hand and wrist of the dominant upper extremity. Participants will visit the site 2 times to get kinesiology tape applied and complete a pre and post-test for pain and performance. Depending on randomization a participant will receive a random sequence of the study arm (ex: red then skin tone or skin tone then red tape)

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Red Kinesiology Tape for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Research suggests that kinesiology taping can help reduce pain and improve function in people with carpal tunnel syndrome, making it a useful complementary treatment option.12345

Is kinesiology tape safe for use in humans?

There is no specific safety data available for kinesiology tape in the provided research articles, but kinesiology tape is generally considered safe for use on the skin in humans.678910

How does Red Kinesiology Tape treatment differ from other treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Red Kinesiology Tape is unique because it provides support while allowing movement, unlike rigid splints, and it is used as a complementary tool to improve pain, functionality, and strength in carpal tunnel syndrome. It is a non-invasive option that can be applied directly to the skin, offering a flexible alternative to more traditional treatments.1231112

Research Team

DK

Donnamarie Krause, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Eligibility Criteria

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.
Reports to play video games over 5 hours a week on average
Has a positive Phalen's test result
See 4 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have open wounds where the tape would be applied.
Pregnant
I have a history of skin conditions.
See 4 more

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Red Kinesiology Tape Applied with the Dorsal Application for Carpal Tunnel SyndromeExperimental Treatment1 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 SyndromeActive Control1 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.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lead Sponsor

Trials
81
Recruited
14,700+

Findings from Research

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

References

Kinesiotaping as an alternative treatment method for carpal tunnel syndrome. [2018]
Short-term effectiveness of kinesio taping as therapeutic tool in conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]
Comparative efficacy of the dorsal application of Kinesio tape and splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. [2021]
The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review. [2022]
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. [2023]
Safety of corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome. [2019]
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. [2023]
Rasch analysis of the carpal tunnel syndrome instrument. [2023]
Nerve injury following steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome. A report of two cases. [2019]
10.United Statespubmed.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. [2022]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Assessment of Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping on Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles. [2020]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Effect of Kinesio taping on wrist kinematics and functional performance: A randomized controlled trial. [2023]
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