Clinical trial NCT06993857: Acute Effect of Forearm Neuromuscular Taping on Pain, Biological and Functional Variables Post-exercise.
Official title: Acute Effect of Forearm Neuromuscular Taping on Maximal Grip Strength, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Muscle Oxygenation in Healthy Collegiate Athletes Post-exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: KINESIOTAPING
NEUROMUSCULAR TAPING
Lead sponsor: European University of Madrid
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-29
Enrollment: 40
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 30
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Participants are divided into four groups: two experimental groups, one placebo group, and one control group. One experimental group receives NMT with proximal-to-distal tension, while the other receives distal-to-proximal tension. The placebo group receives NMT without tension, and the control group receives no NMT.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study aims to evaluate the acute effect of neuromuscular taping applied to the forearm on maximal grip strength, pressure pain threshold, and muscle oxygenation in healthy university athletes after exercise. Using a randomized controlled trial design, the study aims to provide rigorous evidence that will help clarify the potential benefits of Neuromuscular Taping (NMT) in a sports context. The relevance of this research lies in providing useful information for health and sports professionals, facilitating informed decision-making regarding the use of this technique in daily practice. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted, with participants divided into four groups: two experimental groups, one placebo group, and one control group. One experimental group will receive NMT with proximal-to-distal tension, while the other will receive distal-to-proximal tension. The placebo group will receive NMT without tension, and the control group no NMT application.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 30 years.
* Both genders.
* Body mass index between 18.50 and 23.99 kg/m².
* No musculoskeletal disorders in the last 3 months and intact skin on the forearm.
* No neurological or circulatory disease.
* No additional exercise or treatment during the study.
* No induced fatigue before the experiment.
* Physically active individual (defined as performing at least 150-300 minutes of moderate activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity per week for at least 6 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute soft tissue injury to the upper extremity in the past month.
* Allergy to NMT or similar drugs.
* History of surgical procedures on the upper extremities.
* Functional impairment of vision or vestibular sensation.
* Frequent use of neuromuscular taping on the upper extremities.
* Analgesic intervention for musculoskeletal pain in the past 3 weeks.
* Participation in a physical therapy rehabilitation program in the past 3 months.
* Serious physical injuries that limit the ability to perform these procedures.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Grip strength
timeFrame: Change from Baseline to immediately after the assigned intervention
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Muscle oxigenation
timeFrame: Change from Baseline to immediately after the assigned intervention
measure: Pressure pain threshold
timeFrame: Change from Baseline to immediately after the assigned intervention
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
References:
citation: Feldmann A, Schmitz R, Erlacher D. Near-infrared spectroscopy-derived muscle oxygen saturation on a 0% to 100% scale: reliability and validity of the Moxy Monitor. J Biomed Opt. 2019 Nov;24(11):1-11. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.24.11.115001.
citation: Kuzdzal A, Clemente FM, Kawczynski A, Ryszkiel I, Trybulski R. Comparing The Effects of Compression Contrast Therapy and Dry Needling on Muscle Functionality, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Perfusion after Isometric Fatigue in Forearm Muscles of Combat Sports Athletes: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. J Sports Sci Med. 2024 Sep 1;23(1):548-558. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2024.548. eCollection 2024 Sep.
citation: Limmer M, Buck S, de Marees M, Roth R. Acute effects of kinesio taping on muscular strength and endurance parameters of the finger flexors in sport climbing: A randomised, controlled crossover trial. Eur J Sport Sci. 2020 May;20(4):427-436. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1633415. Epub 2019 Jun 29.
citation: Williams S, Whatman C, Hume PA, Sheerin K. Kinesio taping in treatment and prevention of sports injuries: a meta-analysis of the evidence for its effectiveness. Sports Med. 2012 Feb 1;42(2):153-64. doi: 10.2165/11594960-000000000-00000.