Kinesio tape for acute shoulder and chest wall injuries
Kinesiotaping in Trauma
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 387 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Amsterdam) |
| Trial ID | NCT05976256 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Amsterdam
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.