Kinesiological taping with exercise for cubital tunnel (ulnar nerve) symptoms

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Kinesiological Taping in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

NA · Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey · NCT07001111

This trial will test whether adding kinesiological taping to an exercise program helps adults with cubital tunnel syndrome reduce pain and improve nerve-related symptoms.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment36 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorSultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey (other)
Locations2 sites (Istanbul, Uskudar and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07001111 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with ENMG-confirmed cubital tunnel syndrome are randomized to three groups: exercise alone, exercise plus kinesio taping, or exercise plus sham taping. The intervention is delivered over a three-week period with follow-up visits at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Key outcomes include pain on the Numeric Rating Scale and ulnar nerve cross-sectional area measured by ultrasound, along with functional and sensory measures. Patients with systemic neuropathies, recent steroid injections, prior decompression surgery, active cancer, pregnancy, or forearm skin problems are excluded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Literate adults aged 18–65 with ENMG-confirmed cubital tunnel syndrome and at least moderate pain (NRS ≥3) who agree to the protocol are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes or other secondary neuropathies, prior cubital tunnel surgery, recent corticosteroid injection, active cancer, pregnancy, or forearm skin lesions are unlikely to benefit from or are excluded from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, adding kinesio taping could reduce pain and signs of ulnar nerve compression and speed recovery beyond exercise alone.

How similar studies have performed: Kinesio taping has shown mixed and generally modest results in musculoskeletal conditions, and its specific benefit for cubital tunnel syndrome is not yet well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 18 and 65 years
* Patients with at least 3 points of pain according to the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
* Patients diagnosed with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome via Electroneuromyography (ENMG)
* Literate
* Willing to consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having any secondary entrapment neuropathy such as diabetes, inflammatory arthritis, or hypothyroidism
* Pregnancy
* Active cancer presence
* Skin infection, burns, wounds, or scars on the forearm
* History of elbow trauma
* Cervical radiculopathy or brachial plexopathy
* Polyneuropathy
* Having previously undergone Cubital Tunnel decompression surgery
* Having received a corticosteroid injection into the Cubital Tunnel within the last 3 months
* Illiterate
* Not consenting to participate in the study

Where this trial is running

Istanbul, Uskudar and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Kinesio Taping, Ulnar Neuropathies, Kinesio taping, ulnar neuropathies

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.