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

NCT ID: NCT06757062

Last Updated: 2025-01-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-01-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-04-30

Brief Summary

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)

Detailed 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.

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

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

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Kinesiology Tape

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The kinesiology tape (KT) is applied with the dorsal application for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This method is utilized and explained in Krause et al. (2020). This study will assess the efficacy of the application method as well as the varying effects of the color of the KT. Red KT will be compared to skin tone KT. The skin tone KT will be color-matched as closely as possible to each participant's skin tone to reduce the effect of the KT color. In this way, the study's second purpose is to understand the potential effect of color on psychological function and performance in the context of aggressive first-person shooter esports games.

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

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.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Kinesiology Tape

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The kinesiology tape (KT) is applied with the dorsal application for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This method is utilized and explained in Krause et al. (2020). This study will assess the efficacy of the application method as well as the varying effects of the color of the KT. Red KT will be compared to skin tone KT. The skin tone KT will be color-matched as closely as possible to each participant's skin tone to reduce the effect of the KT color. In this way, the study's second purpose is to understand the potential effect of color on psychological function and performance in the context of aggressive first-person shooter esports games.

Interventions

Kinesiology Tape

The kinesiology tape (KT) is applied with the dorsal application for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This method is utilized and explained in Krause et al. (2020). This study will assess the efficacy of the application method as well as the varying effects of the color of the KT. Red KT will be compared to skin tone KT. The skin tone KT will be color-matched as closely as possible to each participant's skin tone to reduce the effect of the KT color. In this way, the study's second purpose is to understand the potential effect of color on psychological function and performance in the context of aggressive first-person shooter esports games.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Donnamarie Krause

PhD, OTR/L, Director Doctor of Occupational Therapy Programs, Principal Investigator, Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Donnamarie Krause, Ph.D

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Locations

University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Shadow Lane Campus

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Sarah A Taing

Role: CONTACT

taings3@unlv.nevada.edu

7022727855

Donnamarie Krause, Ph.D

Role: CONTACT

donnamarie.krause@unlv.edu

7632342532

Facility Contacts

Donnamarie Krause, OTD, Ph.D.

Role: primary

donnamarie.krause@unlv.edu

763-234-2532

Victoria Bernabe

Role: backup

mariavictoria.bernabe@unlv.edu

702-895-1811

References

Krause D, Roll SC, Javaherian-Dysinger H, Daher N. Comparative efficacy of the dorsal application of Kinesio tape and splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. J Hand Ther. 2021 Jul-Sep;34(3):351-361. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2020.03.010. Epub 2020 Sep 4.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 32893100 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol, Statistical Analysis Plan, and Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

UNLV-2024-431

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id