Effect of Kinesio Taping on Lumbar Muscle Temperature

Investigation of the Effect of Kinesio Taping Applied to Lumbar Paravertebral Muscles Under Different Tensions on Local Body Temperature: a Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to lumbar paravertebral muscles with different tensions (25% and 75%) on local body temperature. The study will compare the changes in local body temperature before and after KT application using infrared thermography. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups with randomization stratified by sex: 25% tension KT, 75% tension KT, and a control group. Temperature measurements will be taken at four time points: before the application, 15 minutes, 45 minutes, and 24 hours post-application. The data will be analyzed using statistical methods to evaluate the impact of KT tension on local body temperature. This study will provide insights into the physiological effects of KT under different tension levels.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Body Temperature Changes; Kinesio Taping
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: %25 tension Kinesio tape; Other: 75% tension Kinesio tape

Detailed Description

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) applied to the lumbar paravertebral muscles at different tension levels (25% and 75%) on local body temperature. KT is an elastic adhesive band that is believed to increase circulation, improve muscle function, support proprioception, and alleviate pain. Previous studies have explored the effects of KT on local temperature, but the impact of varying tension levels on temperature and circulation has not been extensively examined. This study seeks to fill this gap by investigating how different tensions in KT application affect local body temperature, a potential indicator of changes in circulation.

The study will include 54 participants, randomly assigned into three groups: a 25% tension KT group, a 75% tension KT group, and a control group. Participants will be stratified by gender to ensure balanced representation. KT will be applied unilaterally to the paravertebral muscles, with the side (right or left) selected by a coin toss. The KT application will follow the standard "I" shape, with 5 cm anchor segments at both ends, and the tension will be applied along the L1-L5 vertebrae in a neutral standing position. After participants bend forward to their maximum comfort level, the tape will be applied, and adhesion will be ensured by rubbing the tape.

Local body temperature will be measured using a FLIR E5 infrared camera (Teledyne FLIR, USA) at four time points: immediately before the KT application, 15 minutes after the application, 45 minutes after the application, and 24 hours post-application. The thermal measurements will be analyzed using FLIR E5 software to determine the minimum, average, and maximum temperatures of the taped area.

The primary outcome of the study is to determine if KT application under different tension levels influences local body temperature, potentially reflecting changes in blood circulation. Secondary outcomes include the comparison of temperature variations between the tension groups and the control group, and the analysis of how time influences these changes.

Statistical analysis will involve one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the demographic characteristics of the groups and a three-way repeated measures ANOVA to assess differences in local body temperature across groups (25% tension, 75% tension, and control), sides (right and left), and time points. Bonferroni post hoc tests will be used to further explore significant interactions or main effects. Descriptive statistics will summarize demographic data, and significance will be set at p < 0.05.

This study is expected to provide valuable insights into the physiological effects of KT and may contribute to a better understanding of how different tension levels influence local circulation and body temperature. These findings could inform clinical practices related to KT and its potential therapeutic benefits.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 54
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Umut Z KOCAK, Assistant/Associate Professor; Phone Number: +90 5052284879; Email: umut_z_kocak@hotmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Izmir, Turkey, 35570
    • Izmir Katip Celebi University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Research Laboratory
    • Contact: Umut Ziya KOCAK, PhD; Phone Number: 00905052284879; Email: umut_z_kocak@hotmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Willingness to participate in the study
• Aged between 18 and 35 years
• Ability to read and understand Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Experiencing muscle pain in the upper extremity, torso, or lower extremity
• Use of medication or having a systemic disease that may affect thermoregulation
• Having dermatological conditions in the area where Kinesio Taping will be applied
• Having undergone surgery in the upper extremity, torso, or lower extremity
• Being pregnant

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: 25% Tension Kinesio Taping Group; Participants in this group will receive Kinesio Taping applied unilaterally to the lumbar paravertebral muscles with 25% tension. The tape will be applied using an "I" shaped strip with 5 cm anchor segments and 0% tension at both ends. The application will be conducted while the participant is in a neutral standing position, and the tape will be rubbed to ensure adhesion.	Other: %25 tension Kinesio tape; "I" shaped Kinesio tape application with 25% tension
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this group will not receive any Kinesio Taping intervention. This group will serve as a baseline for comparison with the KT groups, allowing for the assessment of the effects of KT on local body temperature.
Active Comparator: 75% Tension Kinesio Taping Group; Participants in this group will receive Kinesio Taping applied unilaterally to the lumbar paravertebral muscles with 75% tension. The tape will be applied in an "I" shape with 5 cm anchor segments at both ends. The tension will be adjusted to 75% during the application, and the same adhesion process will be followed.	Other: 75% tension Kinesio tape; "I" shaped Kinesio tape application with 75% tension

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Local Body Temperature	The primary outcome measure of this study is the change in local body temperature in the lumbar paravertebral muscles following the application of Kinesio Taping (KT). Local body temperature will be measured using an infrared thermographic camera to assess the effect of KT on blood circulation and metabolic activity in the targeted area. The temperature measurements will focus on evaluating the difference in temperature at various time points after the application of KT.	Temperature will be measured before, 15 minutes, 45 minutes, and 24 hours after KT removal using an infrared thermographic camera.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Thermal Data Analysis	The analysis of thermal data (minimum, average, and maximum temperatures) using FLIR software will support the primary measure but is considered secondary as it helps to further understand the impact of KT on circulation and tissue temperature.	Thermal data will be analyzed at the same time points as the primary outcome: immediately before Kinesio Taping application, 15 minutes after application, 45 minutes after application, and 24 hours after KT removal.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Izmir Katip Celebi University
• Collaborators: Ege University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 30, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 20, 2025
• Last Verified: January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Body Temperature; Kinesio Taping; Thermal Imaging; Lumbar Muscles
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Temperature Changes
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1649B032404842 (Other Grant/Funding Number: TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) 2211-Graduate Scholarship Program)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: No consensus among researchers yet

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No