An interventional study of Kinesio Taping and sham taping- not therapeutic in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, sponsored by Hacettepe University. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 20 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-08.
Sponsored by Hacettepe University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the immediate effects of Kinesio Taping compared with sham taping in adults with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). The study aims to determine whether a single application of Kinesio Taping provides greater improvements in symptom severity, grip strength, and hand dexterity than sham taping. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does a single application of Kinesio Taping reduce symptom severity and improve tolerance to the Roos test compared with sham taping? Does a single application of Kinesio Taping improve grip strength and hand dexterity compared with sham taping? Researchers will compare participants receiving Kinesio Taping with those receiving sham taping to determine whether the observed effects are attributable to the therapeutic application of Kinesio Taping rather than nonspecific or placebo effects.
Participants will:
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a neurovascular entrapment disorder caused by compression of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian vessels at the thoracic outlet. Patients commonly experience pain, paresthesia, weakness, and reduced upper-extremity function, leading to impaired performance in daily activities. Conservative treatment is considered the first-line approach for most patients and typically includes postural correction, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and activity modification.
Kinesio Taping (KT) is a non-invasive intervention that has been widely used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation to reduce pain, enhance proprioception, and improve functional performance. Previous studies have reported beneficial effects of KT in several peripheral nerve-related conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis with radial nerve involvement, and peripheral neuropathies. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness in patients with TOS remains limited.
To date, only one randomized controlled trial has investigated the effects of KT in patients with TOS, demonstrating improvements in pain, paresthesia, disability, and quality of life. Nevertheless, the immediate effects of KT on objective motor performance outcomes, particularly grip strength and hand dexterity, have not been investigated. Since these outcomes are essential determinants of upper-extremity function and directly influence activities of daily living, addressing this knowledge gap may provide clinically relevant evidence for rehabilitation practice.
This randomized, sham-controlled trial is designed to investigate the immediate effects of a single KT application on symptom severity, response to the Roos test, grip strength, and hand dexterity in patients with TOS. The findings are expected to clarify whether KT produces immediate functional benefits beyond placebo effects and to provide evidence for its role as an adjunctive intervention in the conservative management of TOS.
33 studies on the registry are indexed under Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; 11 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 32 is below the median of 50 across 17 interventional studies indexed under Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Browse Thoracic Outlet Syndrome studies →Hacettepe University is the lead sponsor of 1,007 studies on the registry; 214 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants will receive a single application of sham taping according to a standardized protocol. Outcome measures will be assessed before and immediately after taping.
Other: sham taping- not therapeutic
A single application of therapeutic Kinesio Taping will be performed according to a standardized protocol by an experienced physiotherapist.
Device: Kinesio Taping
A single application of therapeutic Kinesio Taping will be performed according to a standardized protocol by an experienced physiotherapist.
A single application of sham taping will be performed according to a standardized protocol by an experienced physiotherapist.
Grip strength
Grip strength will be measured using a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer. The change from baseline to immediately after the intervention will be compared between groups.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the intervention
Hand dexterity
Hand dexterity will be assessed using the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test. The change from baseline to immediately after the intervention will be compared between the Kinesio Taping and sham taping groups.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after taping
Roos test
The duration (seconds) participants are able to maintain the Roos test position before symptom limitation will be recorded. The change from baseline to immediately after the intervention will be compared between groups.
Time frame: baseline to immediately after the intervention
Plan to share: No — there is no plan to make individual participant data (IPD) available to other researchers.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Sep 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Oct 2026, 1 month after the start.
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