Clinical trial NCT06988137: Kinesio Taping for Finger Injuries
Official title: Comparative Evaluation of Kinesio Taping, Buddy Taping, and Splinting in Finger Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Finger Fracture
Finger Sprain
Ligament Injury of the Finger
Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Injury
Keywords: Kinesio taping
Buddy taping
Conservative treatment
QuickDASH
Grip strength
Range of motion
Non-operative hand fracture
Randomized controlled trial
Lead sponsor: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-23
Enrollment: 175
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 5
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Kinesio taping, buddy taping, or splinting) and followed for 3 months.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of three conservative treatment approaches-Kinesio taping (KT), buddy taping (BT), and static splinting-for managing finger ligament injuries and non-displaced fractures. A total of 175 patients between the ages of 5 and 60 were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups and monitored over a 3-month period. The study aims to assess outcomes including range of motion (ROM), grip strength, pain levels, and functional recovery using the QuickDASH questionnaire.

Detailed description: Finger ligament injuries and non-displaced fractures are common conditions encountered in both pediatric and adult orthopedic populations. Conservative treatment options such as buddy taping and splinting are commonly employed in clinical practice, although each method may affect mobility and patient comfort differently.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate three conservative treatment modalities-Kinesio taping (KT), buddy taping (BT), and static volar splinting-in patients aged 5 to 60 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups and evaluated at three time points: Day 3, Week 3, and Month 3.

The primary outcome measure was the range of motion of the injured finger. Secondary outcomes included grip strength, pain scores, QuickDASH assessments, and incidence of skin-related complications. Outcome evaluations were performed by an independent orthopedic surgeon who was blinded to group assignment.

Patients were stratified into pediatric and adult subgroups to assess age-related differences in treatment response. The study followed a parallel assignment design and employed single-blind outcome assessment.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 5 and 60 years
* Presentation within 5 days of injury
* Acute finger ligament sprain or non-displaced finger fracture (PIP or phalangeal)
* Ability to provide informed consent (or parental consent for minors)
* Availability for 3-month follow-up

Exclusion Criteria:

* Open fractures
* Polytrauma or systemic injury
* Delayed presentation (\>5 days post-injury)
* Need for surgical fixation
* Previous injury or deformity in the same finger
* Neurological or rheumatologic disorders affecting hand function

Primary outcomes:
measure: Range of Motion (ROM) in Injured Finger
timeFrame: Week 3 and Month 3
Secondary outcomes:
measure: QuickDASH Disability Score
timeFrame: Week 3 and Month 3
measure: Grip Strength Recovery
timeFrame: Month 3
measure: Incidence of Skin Complications
timeFrame: Up to Month 3
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
Study officials:
References: