Kinesio Taping Versus Dry Cupping Therapy in Treatment of Thoracic Kyphosis

January 21, 2026 updated by: Aya Alaa Eldeen Sultan, Cairo University

Effect of Kinesio Taping Versus Dry Cupping Therapy in Treatment of Thoracic Kyphosis: A Randomized Control Trial

This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping versus dry cupping therapy in the treatment of thoracic kyphosis

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Kyphosis is defined as an increase in the forward curvature of the spine that is seen along the sagittal plane. When the forward curvature becomes excessive, this is called hyperkyphosis. The curvature can be a normal variance when presented in the thoracic spine or in excess be a cause for instability and concern. The natural history of kyphosis is not exactly well known. Kinesio Taping (KT) stands out as one such modality proposed to manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) disorders. First developed in the 1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, It is touted for pain relief, increased range of motion (ROM), and muscle relaxation. As such, it is widely used, not only among athletes but also in clinical medicine Another traditional technique is known as dry cupping therapy that involve the application of cups to create localised negative pressure on the skin, has been utilised for over four thousand years. Its use spans various conditions, including musculoskeletal pain. Dry Cupping has traditionally carried folkloric, cultural, religious, and spiritual significance within various societies It is used for health promotion, prophylaxis and treatment of a variety of diseases around the world. It is a well-recognized traditional method for managing medical conditions. Currently, the scope of cupping therapy is expanding, and a growing body of research is providing additional evidence-based data for the further advancement of this therapy in the treatment of a variety of diseases. It has gained popularity and acceptance as a method of treating pain as well as sports injuries and other medical conditions.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
48

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects with thoracic kyphosis angle > 40° diagnosed by a medical doctor will be selected from Damietta University's clinic of physical education faculty.
  • Subjects from both genders with an age range between 18 and 30 years .
  • Subjects who are physically active in physical education sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects with medical conditions that restrict activity.
  • Those who received exercise intervention for kyphosis.
  • Structural thoracic kyphosis, defined as thoracic kyphosis that did not partially or completely disappear during prone extension, as assessed by a physical therapist.
  • Medical history of spinal fracture, spinal surgery, shoulder joint injury or pelvic injury.
  • Other spinal diseases; presence of scoliosis on Adam's forward bend test.
  • Spinal kyphosis due to visible thoracic deformity.
  • Subjects undergoing professional sports training.
  • Skin disease (dermatitis, psoriasis), neurological disease or cancer.
  • Using anticoagulants or nonsteroidal antidepressants.
  • Inflammatory or rheumatologic disorders of the spine.
  • Severe cardiopulmonary disease, rheumatic disease or pregnancy.
  • Have a pacemaker or metal implants.
  • Do not understand the written consent form.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Kinesio taping
16 participants will receive Kinesio taping once a week for 4 weeks + traditional treatment
Other: Kinesio taping
The subjects in this group will be treated with KT in addition to the traditional treatment for thoracic kyphosis. Elastic tape (Kinesio tape, Kinesio® Tex Classic, Kinesio Holding Corporation, New Mexico, USA) 5 cm in width will be applied on the upper back of participants by a certified physiotherapist. When applying the tape, the participants will be in an upright standing position with both arms along the side of the body in a relaxed position. Taping will be applied from a starting point at the anterior aspect of the acromioclavicular joint and will be applied across the spinous process at T6 with the tape ending around T12 paraspinal muscle. The elastic tape will be applied with a stretch of approximately 150 %, .Taping will not be taken off for four days. After day four, it will be taken off and the skin will be rested for two days. Taping application will be repeated on day 7. The patients in this group will be followed for four weeks.
Other: Conventional treatment
The participants in this group will receive conventional treatment that will include advices, stretching, strengthening and functional exercises 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks.
Experimental: Dry Cupping Therapy
16 participants will receive Dry Cupping Therapy 3 times a week for 4 weeks + traditional treatment
Other: Conventional treatment
The participants in this group will receive conventional treatment that will include advices, stretching, strengthening and functional exercises 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks.
Other: Dry Cupping Therapy
Participants in this group will receive three sessions per week for four weeks. Two sessions will include cupping therapy in addition to conventional treatment, while one session will consist of conventional treatment only. Six stationary cups will be placed directly around the thoracic spine three cups on each side of the spine. Reusable acrylic cups of medium diameter (3.5 cm) will be used for each individual at each session. The participant will be asked to lie prone. Before beginning the session, if any signs of dehydration are identified by the therapist, coconut oil will be applied to the region in order to hydrate the skin. cups will initially be applied through two suctions by the hand pump, "moderate" suction, which generates a negative pressure of approximately 300 millibar. For participants who report considerable discomfort, the pressure will slightly be minimized according to the individual sensation. cups will be positioned around the thoracic region for 10 Min.
Active Comparator: Conventional treatment
16 participants will receive traditional treatment
Other: Conventional treatment
The participants in this group will receive conventional treatment that will include advices, stretching, strengthening and functional exercises 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain Intensity Level
Time Frame: up to 4 weeks
A visual analogue scale (VAS) will be used to measure the intensity of pain. With a score of 0 for no pain and 10 for the worst pain ever, this psychometric response scale, which measures pain intensity based on numerical values, is 10 cm or 100 mm in length. The interclass correlation ranges for the VAS, a validated and dependable measure of pain intensity, are 0.95 to 0.98. Patients rated their level of pain as mild if they scored 3.4 or less, moderate if they scored 3.5 to 7.4, and severe if they scored 7.5 or higher.
up to 4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Thoracic-curve angle
Time Frame: up to 4 weeks
The digital inclinometer will be used to measure thoracic-curve angle. It is a precision instrument designed to measure angles of slope, tilt, or inclination. The digital inclinometer is becoming a popular tool to assess the musculoskeletal system, including the antero-posterior curvatures of the spine, in both clinical practice and research. The digital inclinometer is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring thoracic kyphosis and can be used for regular screening.
up to 4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Cairo University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 21, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
January 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 21, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • P.T/REC/012/006192

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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