Comparison of Kinesio Taping Techniques in Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorAntalya Training and Research Hospital
About this trial
The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the efficacy of space-correction kinesio taping and neural technique kinesio taping-when added to a home exercise program-versus placebo taping with exercise in individuals with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the second most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. It leads to symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the fourth and fifth digits, hand muscle weakness, and reduced manual dexterity, which negatively impact quality of life. Conservative treatment options include activity modification, nerve gliding exercises, and kinesio taping. Although kinesio taping is widely used in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, evidence regarding the comparative efficacy of different taping techniques in ulnar nerve entrapment remains limited.
In this study, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to three groups:
Space-Correction Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group Neural Technique Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group Placebo Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group The taping intervention will be administered over 3 weeks for a total of 3 sessions (1 session per week, with tape applied for 3 days followed by a 4-day tape-free interval). All participants will receive activity modification education and perform home ulnar nerve gliding exercises twice daily (10 repetitions per session) for 3 weeks. Outcome evaluations-including symptom severity, clinical parameters, and electrophysiological measurements-will be conducted at baseline, at the end of week 3 (post-treatment), and at the 3-month follow-up.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Patients aged 18 years and older who provide written informed consent
Electrophysiologically confirmed ulnar neuropathy entrapped between 4 cm below and 6 cm above the elbow
Duration of symptoms for at least 1 month (presence of one or more symptoms such as paresthesia in the 4th and 5th digits corresponding to the ulnar nerve distribution, hand weakness during gross grip movements, elbow pain, or nighttime complaints)
Disqualifiers
Ulnar nerve transection or trauma (e.g., fracture, subluxation)
Presence of thenar, hypothenar, or intrinsic muscle atrophy
Electrophysiologically confirmed diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, brachial plexopathy, or thoracic outlet syndrome
Conditions causing chronic inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy: diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus)
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Kinesio Taping with Space-Correction Technique
Other interventionSpace-correction Kinesio taping technique applied around the cubital tunnel combined with a home exercise program.
Kinesio Taping with Neural Technique
Other interventionNeural technique Kinesio taping along the path of the ulnar nerve combined with a home exercise program.
Sham/Placebo Taping
Other interventionNon-tension sham taping applied near the cubital tunnel combined with a home exercise program.
Home Exercise Program
Other interventionA structured home exercise program including ulnar nerve gliding exercises
Treatment groups
72 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsGroup A: Space-Correction Taping + ExerciseExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Neural Technique Taping + ExerciseExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group C: Placebo Taping + ExercisePlacebo comparator 2 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Daytime Pain
Evaluates daytime pain intensity using a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Higher scores indicate more severe pain.
Time frame
Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)Secondary outcomes
1
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Nighttime Pain and Associated Symptoms
Evaluates nighttime pain, numbness/paresthesia, weakness, and clumsiness using separate 10-cm visual analog scales (0 to 10 for each symptom). Each symptom is evaluated independently, where higher scores represent greater symptom severity.
Time frame
Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)2
Tinel's Sign Positivity Rate
Percentage of participants with a positive Tinel's sign evaluated at the cubital tunnel.
Time frame
Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)3
Elbow Flexion Test Positivity Rate
Percentage of participants with a positive result for the Elbow Flexion Test.
Time frame
Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months4
Ulnar Nerve Compression Test Positivity Rate
Percentage of participants with a positive result for the Ulnar Nerve Compression Test.
Time frame
Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 monthsLocations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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