An interventional study of Tracheal Kinesio Taping and Control in Burns, sponsored by MTI University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-12.
Sponsored by MTI University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
this study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel, targeted tracheal Kinesio taping protocol as a complementary intervention to enhance airway clearance and expedite weaning milestones in severely burned patients. Specifically, we investigate the direct impact of this neurosensory and biomechanical airway modality on objective cough power-measured via Peak Cough Flow (PCF)-and its ultimate influence on total tracheostomy decannulation time. We hypothesize that the targeted application of tracheal Kinesio taping will safely stabilize airway structures, augment the explosive expiratory phase necessary for productive secretion clearance, and significantly shorten the temporal window required to achieve successful, complication-free decannulation in this vulnerable population.
The transition from a tracheostomy tube to independent, unassisted physiological respiration is a multifaceted clinical challenge that relies on several stringent criteria. Among these, a robust, forceful cough mechanism and the autonomous capability to manage abundant airway secretions stand out as the primary physiological predictors of decannulation readiness. In the burn population, this critical mechanism is heavily compromised. Inhalation injuries trigger an intense inflammatory cascade within the tracheobronchial tree, yielding thick mucus, cellular debris, and carbonaceous plugs. Concurrently, these patients suffer from profound respiratory muscle catabolism, vocal cord dysfunction, and severe pain-induced splinting originating from chest wall burns or fragile skin grafts. This systemic vulnerability drastically minimizes Peak Cough Flow (PCF), resulting in a high risk of mucus plugging, post-decannulation respiratory failure, and subsequent re-cannulation.
Conventional pulmonary rehabilitation strategies in the burn ICU primarily encompass early mobilization, targeted inspiratory and expiratory muscle training, manually assisted coughing, and aggressive mechanical suctioning. While these traditional methods are foundational, they often prove insufficient when restricted by severe patient exhaustion, dynamic skin contractures, or acute, pain-limited thoracic mobility. Furthermore, intensive suctioning can induce micro-trauma to the already inflamed, hyperemic airway mucosa. Given these limitations, there is a distinct clinical necessity for non-invasive, low-risk, and biologically supportive adjunct modalities that can optimize the biomechanical forces of expiration and airway clearance without compounding the patient's systemic pain burden or compromising fragile, healing dermal structures.
905 studies on the registry are indexed under Burns; 164 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 80 is above the median of 40 across 663 interventional studies indexed under Burns.
Browse Burns studies →MTI University is the lead sponsor of 62 studies on the registry; 12 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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Hypersensitivity
An allergy, or another reaction of the immune system, to a substance. “Hypersensitivity to the study drug” means a known allergic reaction to it — not every side effect a medicine can have.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants randomized to the experimental group will receive targeted tracheal Kinesio taping as an adjunct to their daily pulmonary rehabilitation. A certified, KT-trained physical therapist will perform all applications using 5-cm wide, hypoallergenic, 100% cotton elastic tape (Kinesio® Tex Gold™). Before application, the skin surrounding the tracheostoma will be meticulously cleaned, degreased, and dried. Taping will be executed with the patient positioned in a comfortable, neutral cervical spine posture.
Other: Tracheal Kinesio Taping
standardized daily chest physiotherapy protocol tailored for burn critical care. This encompasses early progressive mobility and ambulation, targeted diaphragmatic breathing exercises, active-assisted or manually assisted coughing, oropharyngeal secretion suctioning, and mandatory compliance with the institution's progressive tracheostomy weaning pathway
Other: Control
* Tracheal and Glottic Stabilization (Strip 1): An "I-strip" will be tailored to bridge horizontally across the anterior neck. The center of the tape will be applied directly superior to the tracheostoma flap (overlying the thyroid and cricoid cartilages) utilizing a facilitation tension of 25-35% stretch. This anchors structural airway positioning during explosive exhalation. The final 3 cm of each tail will be laid down laterally over the sternocleidomastoid muscles with 0% tension to act as neutral anchors. * Accessory Expiratory Muscle Assist (Strip 2): A "Y-strip" will be measured from the sternal notch to the clavicular heads. The base of the Y-strip will be anchored at the manubrium of the sternum with no tension. The two tails will then be directed superiorly and laterally along the trajectories of the infrahyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles, applied with a light recoil tension of 15-20% stretch to biomechanically assist accessory expiratory acceleration during a cough.
standardized daily chest physiotherapy protocol tailored for burn critical care. This encompasses early progressive mobility and ambulation, targeted diaphragmatic breathing exercises, active-assisted or manually assisted coughing, oropharyngeal secretion suctioning
Peak Cough Flow (PCF)expressed in Liters per minute, L/min
Cough efficacy will be objectively measured using a calibrated, portable digital peak flow meter connected via an airtight respiratory adapter to the patient's fenestrated tracheostomy tube (with the cuff completely deflated and the proximal opening securely capped)
Time frame: at base line and 2 weeks
Decannulation Time in days
The temporal footprint of weaning will be recorded as the total number of days elapsed from the initiation of the weaning protocol (Day 0, defined as the first day of successful, stable mechanical ventilation independence) to the final, successful physical removal of the tracheostomy tube.
Time frame: at base line and 2 weeks
No study locations are listed for this record.
Start is estimated for Nov 2026; primary completion for Dec 2026, 0 months later.
Of 210 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Burns, half reached primary completion within 18 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 38. This study's planned 0 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 239 studies reached it within 15 months; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 38.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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