Efficacy of Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal Tunnel-Like Symptoms and Performance in Esports Gamers

Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatments: Device: Kinesiology Tape

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06757062

UNLV-2024-431

Details and patient eligibility

About

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)

Full description

Less Pain, More Game - Efficacy of Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal Tunnel Symptoms and Performance in Esports Gamers is a clinical trial that aims to determine if dorsally applied kinesiology tape can manage or improve symptoms that resemble carpal tunnel syndrome in esports gamers. Esports gamers use their hands very differently from the average individual when participating in hours of video game play. This study first aims to test if kinesiology tape would benefit these individuals despite the frequency and intensity with which they use their hands and fingers.

Performance and competition is a major component of esports gaming participation. Despite how well kinesiology tape may improve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, it would not be a good treatment option if it hindered their ability to participate in esports. This study also aims to address performance as well. Color has been identified as a quality of kinesiology tape that may impact performance. Thus this study also seeks to 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.

Participants will visit the site 2 times to get kinesiology tape applied and complete a pre and post-test for the Short Form Mcgill Pain Questionnaire and a first-person shooter simulation to assess performance. The study design is a randomized controlled crossover trial thus 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).

Results from this study would allow occupational therapists to promote health and wellness within the esports gamer population and enhance performance to give players an edge over their opponents.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• over 18 years old
• can see color vision
• reports having numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hands, wrist, or fingers
• has a positive Phalen's test result
• passes Ishihara Color Vision Test with a score of at least 12
• provides written consent
• reports to play video games over 5 hours a week on average

Exclusion criteria

• cognitively impaired
• pregnant
• has history of skin conditions
• has history of hand conditions other than carpal tunnel syndrome
• has history of surgery to the wrist, hand, or fingers
• is currently receiving other forms of physiotherapy
• has open wounds on the kinesiology tape application site

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Red Kinesiology Tape Applied with the Dorsal Application for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Device: Kinesiology Tape

Skin Tone Kinesiology Tape Applied with the Dorsal Application for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Device: Kinesiology Tape