Kinesio tape for acute shoulder and chest wall injuries
Official title: Kinesiotaping in Trauma
Run by Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis · NCT05976256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether applying kinesio tape helps adults with recent shoulder or chest wall injuries reduce pain more than fake tape or no tape.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 387 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Amsterdam) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 11, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2025 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 31, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05976256 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) who present within 24 hours with a single, non‑displaced shoulder or chest wall injury (rib fracture excluding ribs 1–3 and multiple rib fractures, Tossy 1–2 AC disruption, or non/ minimally displaced clavicle or proximal humerus fracture), do not require surgery or hospitalization, and have no tape allergy or problematic skin conditions are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe or multiple injuries, displaced fractures requiring surgery, chest drains/hemo‑ or pneumothorax, hospitalization, fragile or infected skin, tape allergy, or inability to speak Dutch or English are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, parallel three‑arm trial assigns adults with a single acute shoulder or chest wall injury to kinesio tape, sham (non‑elastic) tape, or no tape, in addition to standard care (oral analgesics and sling when indicated). The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful pain reduction (≥2 points on the NRS) at one week. Secondary outcomes include pain at 15 minutes, 3 weeks and 8 weeks, skin reactions, analgesic use, independence, activity pattern, patient comfort/satisfaction, and need for physiotherapy. Eligible participants are ≥18, present within 24 hours with non‑displaced rib fracture (excluding ribs 1–3 and ≥3 ribs), Tossy type 1–2 AC joint disruption, or non/ hardly displaced clavicle or proximal humeral fracture, and have no indication for surgery or contraindications to tape.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, kinesio tape could provide a low‑cost, low‑risk way to reduce pain and improve comfort and patient satisfaction after acute shoulder or chest injuries.
How similar studies have gone: A small randomized pilot at OLVG (Bakker 2022) showed greater pain reduction with kinesiotape versus no tape but could not exclude placebo effects and larger confirmatory trials are still needed.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * ≥18 years * Acute injury (occurred \<24 hours ago) * Single shoulder or chest wall injury, which includes one of the following injuries: * rib fracture * disruption of the AC-joint Tossy type 1 and 2 * not or hardly dislocated fracture of the clavicle * Not or hardly dislocated fracture of the r proximal humeral fracture Exclusion Criteria: * • Patients younger than 18 years * Incapacitated persons * Refusal of participation * Intubation indication * Decrease of Consciousness * Hemodynamic instability * 3 or more rib fractures * Rib fracture rib 1-3 * Indication for surgery * Hospitalization required * Presence of a haemo- or pneumothorax with chest drain indication * Already known with allergy for adhesive tape * Patients with very thin or loose skin on the applicable body part * Skin infection/irritation or open wound on the applicable body part * Patients who do not speak Dutch or English
Where it's running
-
Mireille Bakker
Amsterdam, Netherlands Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mireille Bakker, MSc — Olvg
- Study coordinator: Mireille Bakker, MSc
- Email: m.e.bakker2@olvg.nl
- Phone: +310205999111
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.