Efficacy of Dorsal Kinesio Tape Application for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Esports Gamers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS); Carpal Tunnel

Treatments: Device: Kinesio Tape

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06993090

UNLV-2024-458

Details and patient eligibility

About

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of Kinesio Tape (KT) in alleviating carpal tunnel-like symptoms and enhancing gaming performance among young adult PC gamers. The study aims to address two primary questions:

Does Kinesio Tape reduce wrist pain in adult PC gamers experiencing carpal tunnel-like symptoms?

Does Kinesio Tape improve gaming performance in this population?

Researchers will compare the effects of KT applied to the wrist versus the scapular spine to determine if wrist application provides greater pain relief and performance benefits.

Participants will undergo:

Screening & Consent (Up to 30 minutes via Zoom): Informed consent and a Phalen's test to assess carpal tunnel-like symptoms.

Baseline (Day 0, 75 minutes): Completion of a demographic survey, 15 minutes of gaming on Kovaaks FPS Aim Trainer, KT application, 15 minutes of post-application gaming, and surveys (Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity [BCSS] and KT feedback).

Days 1 & 2 (15 minutes each): KT removal and reapplication, followed by BCSS and KT feedback surveys.

Day 3 (75 minutes): Repeat gaming tests, KT application, and completion of BCSS and KT feedback surveys, mirroring Day 0 procedures.

Total Time Commitment: Approximately 210 minutes (3.5 hours) over four sessions.

Enrollment: 11 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

• Over 18 years of age
• Test positive for Phalen's screening
• Experience any carpal tunnel-like symptoms
• Self Identified PC gamer

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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11 participants in 2 patient groups

Kinesio Tape on Dorsal Wrist

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Kinesio Tape applied to the dorsal side of the wrist. This application is intended to provide support and potentially reduce carpal tunnel-like symptoms while assessing its impact on gaming performance.

Treatment:

Device: Kinesio Tape

Kinesio Tape on Scapular Spine

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive Kinesio Tape applied to the scapular spine on the opposite side of their dominant hand. This serves as a control condition to account for the effects of Kinesio Tape placement while ensuring that participants remain blinded to their group assignment.

Treatment:

Device: Kinesio Tape