The Effect of Kinesio Taping Applied to the Gastrocnemius Muscle on Muscle Oxygenation, Pain Pressure Threshold, and Muscle Mechanical Properties

Investigation of the Effects of Kinesio Taping Applied to the Gastrocnemius Muscle on Muscle Oxygenation, Pain Pressure Threshold, and Muscle Mechanical Properties in Young Healthy Individuals

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesio taping applied to the gastrocnemius muscle on muscle oxygenation, pain pressure threshold, and mechanical properties of the muscle in healthy young individuals.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Kinesio Taping; Muscle Oxygenation
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kinesio® tape application; Other: Placebo

Detailed Description

Individuals meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to two groups using block randomization: the Kinesio® tape group (KTG) and the placebo group (PG). Following assessments, individuals will be assigned to their respective groups and will receive Kinesio® tape application from a physiotherapist. Assessments will be repeated for all individuals at 1 hour and 36 hours after application.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 50
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Kubra Kendal; Phone Number: +90 530-233-8078; Email: kubra.kendal@okan.edu.tr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Right lower extremity being dominant,
• Not having suffered a musculoskeletal injury to the lower extremity in the last 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any orthopedic, neurological, circulatory, or psychiatric diagnosis,
• Having a history of lower extremity surgery,
• Having an allergy to KT or similar tapes,
• Using muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
• Having received physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment within the last 3 months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Kinesio® tape group (KT); KT will be applied by a certified physiotherapist following standardized procedures. The skin of the lower leg will be cleaned with alcohol before application. Participants will be positioned prone with their lower extremities fully extended, knees in full extension, and ankles in a neutral position. The tape will be placed along the gastrocnemius muscle, over the calcaneal fat pad, to the distal femur. Tension in the KT group will be between 15-25%, with active stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle by the individual during taping.	Other: Kinesio® tape application; KT will be applied by a certified physiotherapist following standardized procedures. The skin of the lower leg will be cleaned with alcohol before application. Participants will be positioned prone with their lower extremities fully extended, knees in full extension, and ankles in a neutral position. The tape will be placed along the gastrocnemius muscle, over the calcaneal fat pad, to the distal femur. Tension in the KT group will be between 15-25%, with active stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle by the individual during taping.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo group; The skin of the lower leg will be cleaned with alcohol before the procedure. Participants will be positioned prone with their lower extremities fully extended, knees in full extension, and ankles in a neutral position. The band will be placed along the gastrocnemius muscle, over the calcaneal fat pad, to the distal femur. Tension will be achieved by leaving the band unstretched.	Other: Placebo; The skin of the lower leg will be cleaned with alcohol before the procedure. Participants will be positioned prone with their lower extremities fully extended, knees in full extension, and ankles in a neutral position. The band will be placed along the gastrocnemius muscle, over the calcaneal fat pad, to the distal femur. Tension will be achieved by leaving the band unstretched.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Oxygenation Analysis of the Gastrocnemius Muscle	Before the application, at the 1st hour and at the 36th hour of the application
Pain Pressure Threshold	Before the application, at the 1st hour and at the 36th hour of the application
Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of the Gastrocnemius Muscle	Before the application, at the 1st hour and at the 36th hour of the application

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Okan University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 29, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: IstanbulOkanUniv

Drug and device information, study documents

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