Efficacy of Dorsal Kinesio Tape Application for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Esports Gamers: A Randomized Clinical Trial

University of Nevada, Las Vegas11 enrolled

Overview

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of Kinesio Tape (KT) in alleviating carpal tunnel-like symptoms and enhancing gaming performance among young adult PC gamers. The study aims to address two primary questions: Does Kinesio Tape reduce wrist pain in adult PC gamers experiencing carpal tunnel-like symptoms? Does Kinesio Tape improve gaming performance in this population? Researchers will compare the effects of KT applied to the wrist versus the scapular spine to determine if wrist application provides greater pain relief and performance benefits. Participants will undergo: Screening \& Consent (Up to 30 minutes via Zoom): Informed consent and a Phalen's test to assess carpal tunnel-like symptoms. Baseline (Day 0, 75 minutes): Completion of a demographic survey, 15 minutes of gaming on Kovaaks FPS Aim Trainer, KT application, 15 minutes of post-application gaming, and surveys (Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity \[BCSS\] and KT feedback). Days 1 \& 2 (15 minutes each): KT removal and reapplication, followed by BCSS and KT feedback surveys. Day 3 (75 minutes): Repeat gaming tests, KT application, and completion of BCSS and KT feedback surveys, mirroring Day 0 procedures. Total Time Commitment: Approximately 210 minutes (3.5 hours) over four sessions.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Interventions

Kinesio TapeDEVICE

A thin, flexible, and elastic therapeutic tape intended for skin application to provide support for muscles and joints. This tape may help decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation while permitting movement. It is commonly utilized to enhance athletic performance and facilitate injury recovery. The tape functions by elevating the skin, which can enhance blood and lymph circulation, and is believed to engage the nervous system through proprioceptive feedback.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Carpal Tunnel-Like Symptom Severity (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire - Symptom Severity Scale)

This outcome measures the severity and frequency of carpal tunnel-like symptoms, including pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, wrist, and forearm. Symptom severity was assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire - Symptom Severity Scale (BCTQ-SSS), a validated self-report measure. The BCTQ-SSS uses a 5-point Likert scale where 1 indicates no symptoms and 5 indicates very severe symptoms. Participants rated their symptoms at the end of each session to monitor changes across the intervention period. Higher scores reflect greater symptom burden. This measure was used to evaluate whether kinesiotape application reduced the severity of symptoms commonly associated with repetitive strain injuries in esports players.

Time frame: Administered at the end of each session on Day 0 (baseline), Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 (post-intervention). Sessions were held every other day over an 8-day period.

Esports Gaming Performance (Kovaaks Aim Trainer)

Gaming performance was assessed using Kovaaks Aim Trainer, a validated simulation platform designed to measure key motor skills essential to first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay, including speed, accuracy, reaction time, and total task score. Participants completed two structured testing sessions-on Day 0 (baseline) and Day 3 (post-intervention)-each consisting of 15-minute gaming tasks both before and after kinesiotape application. The selected simulations targeted core esports competencies such as tracking (sustained aim on moving targets), flicking (rapid target shifts), and strafing (aiming while moving), which reflect real-world gaming demands. Performance data, including accuracy percentage and total score, were automatically recorded by the Kovaaks software and later averaged across trials to reduce variability. The purpose of this measure was to evaluate whether kinesiotape-applied to either the dorsal wrist or scapular spine, depending on group assignmet

Time frame: Day 0 (baseline session) and Day 3 (post-intervention session). In both sessions, performance was measured twice - once before and once after kinesiotape application. Study sessions were conducted every other day over an 8-day period.