Effects of Taping on the Proprioceptive System

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Kinesiotape (KT) is a widely used technique, although the scientific evidence on its effectiveness is limited and conflicting. KT has not yet been scientifically proven to have an effect on proprioception and a possible placebo effect of this technique cannot be ruled out. The main objective of this experimental study is to evaluate the effect of the application of KT in the anterior side of the forearm on the force sense and the positional sense compared to a placebo intervention in healthy subjects. A randomized, single-blind, crossover clinical trial will be carried out, where each subject will undergo three situations in their dominant forearm: no intervention, intervention using sham tape and intervention using KT. In the present design, in a randomized manner, all subjects go through the 3 conditions on different days: KT, sham tape, and no intervention. Measurements will be made before and after the intervention and proprioception will be measured using the variables of sense of force (with a dynamometer) and joint position (with a goniometer). The main intervention will be the application of a KT strip on the anterior face of the forearm and a sham tape of another material following the same procedure. The study population will be made up of healthy students from the university community of the Faculty of Physiotherapy of the University of Vigo. The main objective of this experimental study is to evaluate the effect of the application of kinesiotape (KT) in the anterior side of the forearm on the force sense and the joint positional sense of the wrist compared to a placebo/sham intervention in healthy subjects. Study hypothesis: the application of KT on the anterior side of the forearm produces better results in the force sense evaluated by a grip dynamometry and on the joint position sense of the wrist compared to a sham intervention or not intervention.

Official Title
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Effects of Taping on the Proprioceptive System of Healthy Subjects

Conditions
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Healthy Volunteers

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Kinesiotape
* Procedure: Sham tape


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The participants will be members of the University of Vigo who participate voluntarily in the study. Participants must be healthy subjects (men and women) of legal age (>18 years). All subjects must sign the informed consent prior to experimentation. Exclusion Criteria: Suffering from dermal disorders, fragile skin or allergy to adhesive tape. Excessive skin hair in the region to apply the tape. Have received a bandage on the upper limb (MMSS) in two weeks prior to the experimentation. History of orthopedic / traumatic alterations in upper limb (deformities, arthropathy, muscular injuries, fracture or tendinopathy), neurological disorders (central or peripheral), systemic disorders, circulatory disorders (edema, heart failure, thrombosis, kidney failure), hormonal disorders or surgery in upper limb in the last 6 months. Have done strength training in the MMSS in the 48 hours prior to the study. Limitation in the range of motion of the MMSS that may affect the grip strength. Consumption of alcoholic beverages or medications 24 hours prior to the experimentation.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Experimental arm<br>The intervention will be the application of a Kinesiotape (KT) strip on the anterior side of the forearm. The day of the intervention will proceed as follows: Warm-up: The total warm-up time will be 5 minutes. After warm-up, a 1 minute rest will be carried out. Skin cleansing with 96% alcohol. Kinesiotape (KT): KT will be placed without any extra tension (in the scientific literature it is called paper off tension). | Procedure: Kinesiotape<br>* Kinesiotape (KT): KT will be placed without any extra tension (in the scientific literature it is called paper off tension). The measure determined in the measurement with a tape measure is cut. The anchor of the KT is placed on the medial epicondyle with the body segments in a neutral position (anchor length: 5 cm). Placement of the active zone of the bandage with the flexor muscles of the fingers in elongation. Origin-insertion placement. Distal anchor in neutral position. Material: Kinesiotape: Kinesiology Tape TEMTEX ® Beige (Towatek Korea Co .; South Korea).<br>* Other names: Athletic tape;|
| Sham Comparator: Control arm<br>The intervention will be the application of a tape strip on the anterior side of the forearm. Sham tape appears to be kinesiotape but is an inelastic tape. The day of the intervention will proceed as follows: Warm-up: The total warm-up time will be 5 minutes. After warm-up, a 1 minute rest will be carried out. Skin cleansing with 96% alcohol. Sham tape: exactly the same procedure is followed as experimental arm, but an adhesive inelastic tape is used. Material: Omnifix elastic (Laboratorios Hartmann S.A .; Spain). | Procedure: Sham tape<br>* Sham tape: exactly the same procedure is followed as above, but an adhesive inelastic tape is used. Material: Omnifix elastic (Laboratorios Hartmann S.A .; Spain).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Force sense | Evaluation: ability of a subject to reproduce a certain force. Grip force. Measuring instrument: dynamometer (JAMAR Smart Hand Dynamometer, Patterson Medical Holdings, Inc.). | 30 minutes | 
| Joint position sense | Evaluation: ability of a subject to reproduce a certain position. Wrist position. - Measuring instrument: goniometer (Baseline Bubble Inclinometer- Fabrication Enterprises USA and Universal Plastic Goniometer- Saehan Rulong Goniometer). | 30 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Athletic Tape, Proprioception, Wrist Joint, Arthrometry, Articular, Muscle Strength Dynamometer