The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Hand Functions in Zone V-VI Extensor Tendon Injuries

Investigation of the Effect of Kinesio Taping on Hand Functions in Zone V-VI Extensor Tendon Injuries: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

This study aims to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on hand function in patients with Zone V-VI Extensor Digitorum Communis (EDC) tendon injuries following primary repair. Extensor tendon injuries in this region often lead to complications such as adhesion formation, reduced range of motion, extensor lag, and impaired hand function, despite standard rehabilitation approaches. Therefore, additional interventions that may enhance tendon gliding and neuromuscular control are of clinical interest.

In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, patients will be assigned to either a KT group or a sham taping control group. Both groups will receive a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program, while the intervention group will additionally receive KT applications between postoperative weeks 6 and 12. Outcome measures, including range of motion, grip and pinch strength, and functional hand performance, will be assessed at 12 and 24 weeks.

The study seeks to determine whether KT provides additional benefits beyond conventional rehabilitation in improving functional recovery after extensor tendon injuries, addressing an important gap in the current literature.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Tendon Injuries; Extensor Tendons of Finger Anomalies
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kinesio Taping; Other: Sham Kinesio Taping

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 36
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: HANDE USTA OZDEMIR, PhD; Phone Number: +902582964279; Email: husta@pau.edu.tr

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Kınıklı
    • Denizli, Kınıklı, Turkey (Türkiye), 20070
      • Pamukkale University
      • Contact: HANDE USTA OZDEMIR, PhD; Phone Number: +902582964279; Email: husta@pau.edu.tr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Having an isolated Zone V-VI extensor tendon injury
• Having undergone primary treatment for the injury

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of prior surgery on the affected extremity
• Presence of accompanying neurological, orthopedic, rheumatologic, or metabolic disease in the affected extremity
• Presence of flexor tendon injury
• Presence of fractures of the metacarpals, carpal bones, or radius/ulna
• Presence of an open incision line
• Delayed wound healing
• Presence of peripheral nerve injury
• Presence of replantation or amputation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Patients in the kinesio taping group; Patients in the kinesio taping group will receive KT application starting at postoperative week 6, after complete discontinuation of splint immobilization. During application, the functional correction technique will be used from the insertion to the origin of the Extensor Digitorum Communis (EDC) muscle, with approximately 25-50% tension applied to the tape. KT applications will be performed twice weekly between postoperative weeks 6 and 12, using three tapes in each session. New tapes will be applied in each session and replaced no later than 3 days after the previous application. Before each taping session, the application area will be properly cleaned. Additionally, patients and their caregivers will be thoroughly informed about hygiene of the application area and proper tape removal. The button-hole technique and I-strip technique will be used.	Other: Kinesio Taping; Button-Hole Technique (Affected finger(s)) I-Strip Technique (Support for all metacarpal bones) Supportive Tape Application
Sham Comparator: Patients in the control group; Patients in the control group will receive sham taping. The application will begin at postoperative week 6 after complete discontinuation of splint immobilization. In the sham application, all steps of the KT procedure (cutting, placement, and application process) will be mimicked; however, no therapeutic tension will be applied to the tapes. Sham taping will be applied twice weekly between postoperative weeks 6 and 12, using three tapes per session. New tapes will be applied in each session and replaced no later than 3 days after the previous application. Before each application, the taping area will be properly cleaned. Patients and their caregivers will also be thoroughly informed about hygiene and proper tape removal.	Other: Sham Kinesio Taping; Sham Button-Hole Technique (Affected finger(s)) Sham I-Strip Technique (Support for all metacarpal bones) Sham Supportive Tape Application

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Finger ROM Measurement	With the wrist in a neutral position, active flexion and extension movements of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints will be measured using a metal finger goniometer.	Post operative at 12 and 24 weeks
Assessment of Gross Grip and Pinch Strength	Gross grip strength will be measured using a hand dynamometer, and pinch strength will be measured in four different positions (tip, pulp, lateral, and three-point pinch) using a pinch meter (Jamar® Hydraulic Dynamometer-Pinchmeter, Serial No: 1420513), according to the standard measurement protocol of the American Society of Hand Therapists.	Post operative at 12 and 24 weeks
Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire	The MHQ was developed to measure health status in patients with hand deformities and assesses how well patients perform their usual activities. Each question is scored on a 5-point Likert scale. The total score is calculated by summing all domain scores and dividing by six. Higher scores indicate better outcomes. The questionnaire will be administered by the researchers through face-to-face interviews using a question-and-answer format	Post operative at 12 and 24 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Pamukkale University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Kodak MIH, Özüdoğru A, Basat HÇ, Tuncay F. Early effects of Kinesio taping on clinical outcomes in patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Sports Health. 2025. doi:10.1177/19417381251397956.
• Horoz L, Cigdem-Karacay B, Cakmak MF. Effect of Kinesio taping on edema and wrist functions in patients with distal radius fracture treated conservatively with a cast: a randomized controlled single-blinded study. J Hand Ther. 2024;37(3):479-488. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2024.05.003.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 7, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 7, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Functional recovery; Extensor lag; Extensor tendon
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Tendon Injuries; Hapnes Boman Skeie syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: E-60116787-020-859084

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: Research data can be shared upon a reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No