Recruiting

Kinesio Tape

Sponsor:

Northern Illinois University

Code:

NCT03804047

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 50

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

kinesio tape

Study Details

Brief summary:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes damage within the central nervous system and results in deficits of body functions. The investigators propose a pilot randomized controlled trial examining the acute effect of kinesio tape application in various body segments on balance, mobility, physical functioning, and pain in persons with MS (pwMS) aged 18 to 55 years old. The investigators will objectively assess balance using a force platform and mobility and physical functioning will be assessed using standardized tests (i.e., Timed Up and Go, Timed 25-foot Walk, 6-minute Step Test, Six Spot Step Test). The trial will recruit 24 pwMS aged 18 to 55 years with mild-to-moderate MS-related disability who will be randomized into intervention (Kinesio Tape) or control conditions (Sham/Inflexible Tape). Participants will complete assessments before and after tape application. This pilot trial will inform future research interventions aiming to use the approach in different situations with pwMS (e.g., exercise).

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Study ID

NCT03804047

Start date

Jan 1, 2019

Status verified date

Mar, 2021

Completion date

Dec 31, 2021

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 25, 2021

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 50

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • clinically definitive diagnosis of MS
  • aged 18 - 50 years
  • relapse-free for the past 30 days and
  • ability to walk with or without an assistive device (i.e., cane, but not walker/rollator).
  • must be willing to complete in-person assessments at a university research setting

Exclusion Criteria:

  • use wheelchair, crutches and walker
  • have moderate cognitive impairment based on the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (i.e., moderate cognitive impairment, ≤ 12 points).

Study Design

Enrollment

24 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Kinesio Tape (KTG)

Participants allocated into the KTG will receive a single time application of the kinesio tape flexible tape (Kinesio® Tex, Albuquerque, NM, USA) in the upper-body (i.e., back part of the trunk) and in the lower-body (i.e., legs and ankle) according to standardized procedures (https://kinesiotaping.com/how-to/). The tape is latex-free and wearable for weeks without causing skin irritation (i.e., hypoallergenic); and safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric. The tape will be applied by a Physical Therapist with experience in tape application. Tape application will be conducted in a private room with a complete structure for the procedure.

sham comparator: Sham Tape (STG)

Participants allocated into the STG will receive a single time application of an inflexible tape (i.e., sham tape) in the same body segments as the intervention condition. Tape application will be conducted in a private room with a complete structure for the procedure.

Interventions

kinesio tape

kinesio tape is a therapeutic method used in the treatment of various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular deficits to provide support for muscles and increase or inhibit muscle recruitment, to correct joint malalignment, decrease swelling, and pain relieve

Primary outcome measure

  • Static Balance Performance [ Time Frame: 10minutes ]
  • Timed and Up and Go [ Time Frame: 6minutes ]
  • Timed 25-foot Walk [ Time Frame: 6minutes ]
  • Six-minute Walking Test [ Time Frame: 10minutes ]
  • Six-spot Step Test [ Time Frame: 6minutes ]
  • The Short Physical Performance Battery [ Time Frame: 6minutes ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Shuqi Zhang, PhD

2254567821szhang3@niu.edu

Emerson Sebastiao, PhD

(815) 753-3656esebastiao@niu.edu

Locations

Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Northern Illinois University

Recruiting

DeKalb, Illinois, United States, 60115

Contacts

Emerson Sebastiao, PhD

815-753-3656esebastiao@niu.edu

Shuqi Zhang, PhD

815-753-1418szhang3@niu.edu

More Information

Sponsor

Northern Illinois University

Last update posted

Mar 3, 2021

Last verified

Mar, 2021

Keywords

  • Kinesio Tape
  • Physical functioning
  • Disability

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Northern Illinois University on 2021-03-03.