RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06757062

Efficacy of Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal Tunnel-Like Symptoms and Performance in Esports Gamers

Less Pain, More Game: Efficacy of Red Kinesiology Tape on Carpal Tunnel-Like Symptoms and Performance in Esports Gamers

Sponsor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

Jan 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

carpal tunnel syndrome

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if dorsally applied kinesiology tape is an effective conservative treatment for symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and assess the potential performance effect of the tape color in first-person shooter esports games in esports gamers who exhibit symptoms that resemble carpal tunnel syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is dorsally applied kinesiology tape able to manage carpal tunnel syndrome-like symptoms in esports gamers? Does red kinesiology tape hinder or improve performance in first-person shooter esports games in esports gamers? Researchers will compare red kinesiology tape to skin tone kinesiology tape. Both will be applied on the dorsal aspect of the hand and wrist of the dominant upper extremity. Participants will visit the site 2 times to get kinesiology tape applied and complete a pre and post-test for pain and performance. Depending on randomization a participant will receive a random sequence of the study arm (ex: red then skin tone or skin tone then red tape)

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria7

over 18 years old
can see color vision
reports having numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hands, wrist, or fingers
has a positive Phalen's test result
passes Ishihara Color Vision Test with a score of at least 12
provides written consent
reports to play video games over 5 hours a week on average

Exclusion Criteria7

cognitively impaired
pregnant
has history of skin conditions
has history of hand conditions other than carpal tunnel syndrome
has history of surgery to the wrist, hand, or fingers
is currently receiving other forms of physiotherapy
has open wounds on the kinesiology tape application site

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Interventions

DEVICEKinesiology Tape

The kinesiology tape (KT) is applied with the dorsal application for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This method is utilized and explained in Krause et al. (2020). This study will assess the efficacy of the application method as well as the varying effects of the color of the KT. Red KT will be compared to skin tone KT. The skin tone KT will be color-matched as closely as possible to each participant's skin tone to reduce the effect of the KT color. In this way, the study's second purpose is to understand the potential effect of color on psychological function and performance in the context of aggressive first-person shooter esports games.