Rounded Shoulder PostureNCT07364591
Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping With Rounded Shoulder Posture in University Students
A study testing Kinesiotaping and Kinesiotaping(no tension) in people with Rounded Shoulder Posture and Kinesio Taping, run by Selcuk University.
Trial summary
Posture is maintained through the interaction of the musculoskeletal system, visual input, vestibular function, and proprioception to provide optimal balance with minimal energy expenditure. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Rounded Shoulder Posture, Kinesio Taping
- What is being tested?
- Kinesiotaping and Kinesiotaping(no tension)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2026to 30 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being between 18-30 years of age
- Having an acromial distance ≥ 2.6 cm measured in the supine position with shoulders in a neutral position
Who cannot join
- Having a surgical or pathological/neurological condition in the shoulder or spine region (rotator cuff repair, subacromial impingement syndrome, acute tendinitis, cervical disc herniation, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
- Having a neurological/systemic disease that may cause sensory problems
- Having an allergic reaction to the use of the tape
- Having a skin lesion, open wound, or skin infection at the taping site
- Using medication within the last 24-48 hours
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping With Rounded Shoulder Posture in University Students: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study
Posture is maintained through the interaction of the musculoskeletal system, visual input, vestibular function, and proprioception to provide optimal balance with minimal energy expenditure. Various factors, including prolonged static sitting, unsuitable work environments, prolonged screen use, and low physical activity levels, may contribute to postural misalignment, particularly in student populations. Rounded shoulder posture is commonly associated with muscle imbalance, altered scapular alignment, pain in the neck and shoulder region, reduced range of motion, and functional limitations.
Kinesio taping is a physiotherapy intervention commonly used in orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Proposed effects include facilitation of proper muscular and fascial alignment, enhancement of proprioceptive feedback, and potential improvement in posture and movement quality. However, evidence regarding the immediate effects of kinesio taping on posture-related outcomes in individuals with rounded shoulder posture remains limited.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immediate effects of kinesio taping on posture, shoulder range of motion, and proprioception in students with rounded shoulder posture.
- Conditions
- Rounded Shoulder Posture, Kinesio Taping
- Being tested
- Kinesiotaping, Kinesiotaping(no tension)
- Keywords
- Posture, Kinesiotaping, students
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
KinesiotapingOther
Elastic kinesiology tape will be applied by a licensed physiotherapist with experience in taping. With the participant standing in scapular retraction and neutral posture, a Y- or I-strip is placed from the anterior aspect of the acromion toward the spinous process of T10, with 30-40% stretch over the mid-portion and 0% tension on anchors. A second overlay strip will be applied along the same path with 30-40% stretch to augment the mechanical cue. Skin will be cleaned and dried; hair trimmed if needed. Tape will be rubbed to activate adhesive. Total application time ≈3-5 minutes. Tape remains in place during immediate (≤3 minutes) and short-term (~30 minutes) assessments and is then removed. Adverse skin reactions will be monitored; tape will be removed immediately if irritation occurs.
Kinesiotaping(no tension)Other
The sham application is performed in the same area and configuration as the experimental arm; however, the strip is applied completely without tension (0%) along its length and does not provide a therapeutic mechanical cue. To maintain blinding, a second strip is applied along the same path with 0% tension and approximately 50% overlap. Skin preparation and application-removal procedures are identical to the experimental condition. The tape remains in place during the immediate (≤3 minutes) and short-term (~30 minutes) assessments and is then removed.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiotaping Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Kinesiotaping |
| Sham Group | Sham comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Kinesiotaping(no tension) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
posture assessment
PostureScreen Mobile is a valid and reliable mobile application that provides clinical-level postural assessment and analysis. The application uses photographs captured with a mobile device camera from anterior, lateral, and posterior views to evaluate body alignment, asymmetries, and postural deviations. Through visual analysis, the application performs angular and linear measurements to support objective postural evaluation.
Planned measurement parameters include head translation (cm), head tilt angle, shoulder translation (cm), shoulder tilt angle, rib cage translation (cm), rib cage tilt angle, pelvic translation (cm), pelvic tilt angle, craniovertebral angle, kyphosis angle, and pelvic tilt. To ensure measurement consistency, the mobile device camera position will be standardized at a fixed distance and height for all participants. To enhance visibility and measurement accuracy, participants will be assessed barefoot and wearing only underwear during photographic capture.
Measured: Baseline (pre-taping), immediately after application, and 30 minutes post-application.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Assessment of Joint Range of Motion
Shoulder range of motion will be assessed using the Goniometer Pro smartphone application, which provides valid and reliable angular measurements. Shoulder flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, and internal and external rotation will be evaluated.
For each measurement, the smartphone will be securely fixed to the segment being assessed and calibrated to zero in the neutral position. During shoulder flexion and abduction measurements, the device will be positioned on the lateral surface of the humerus. For internal and external rotation measurements, the device will be placed on the dorsal surface of the forearm (ulna) with the shoulder positioned at 90 degrees of abduction.
Participants will be aligned in standardized test positions, and compensatory movements, including scapular elevation and lumbar extension, will be manually restricted. The limb will be moved to the end range of the target motion, and the angular value will be recorded. Each measurement will be repeated
Measured: Measured at baseline, immediately after taping (≤3 minutes), and 30 minutes post-taping; primary comparison is change from baseline
Pressure pain threshold
Pressure pain threshold measurements will be performed bilaterally on the dominant and nondominant sides using a digital algometer (JTECH Medical, Commander Echo). Due to increased activity and sensitivity of the upper trapezius muscles in individuals with rounded shoulder posture, assessments will be conducted on the upper trapezius muscle.
During digital algometry, pressure will be applied to the measurement site at a constant rate of approximately 1 kg/s. The pressure value at which pain is first perceived will be recorded. Three consecutive measurements will be obtained, and the mean value will be used for analysis.
Measured: Measured at baseline, immediately after taping (≤3 minutes), and 30 minutes post-taping; primary comparison is change from baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Rounded Shoulder PostureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Selcuk UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Selcuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zehra KORKUT, Selcuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07364591
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0000-0001-9243-0937
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Barker V. Postura, posizione, movimento. Roma: Edizioni Mediterranee; 1998. ISBN: 9788827212165. Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG. Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain. 5th ed. (Port.) São Paulo: Manole; 2007. Carini F, Mazzola M, Fici C, Palmeri S, Messina M, Damiani P, et al. Posture and posturology, anatomical and physiological profiles: overview and current state of art. Acta Biomed. 2017;88(1):11-16. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i1.5309. PMID: 28467328; PMCID: PMC6166197. Zhang C, Zhang J, Yang G. Association between internet addiction and the risk of upper cross syndrome in Chinese college students: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102(30):e34273. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034273. PMID: 37505162; PMCID: PMC10378816. Silva AG, Punt TD, Sharples P, Vilas-Boas JP, Johnson MI. Head posture and neck pain of chronic nontraumatic origin: a comparison between patients and pain-free persons. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90(4):669-674. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.10.018. PMID: 19345785. Kim EK, Kim JS. Correlation between rounded shoulder posture, neck disability indices, and degree of forward head posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(10):2929-2932. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.2929. PMID: 27821964; PMCID: PMC5088155. Kase K, Wallis J, Kase J. Clinical Therapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method. Tokyo: Ken Ikai Co.; 2003. Cho HY, Kim EH, Kim J, Yoon YW. Kinesio taping improves pain, range of motion, and proprioception in older patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(3):192-200. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000148. PMID: 25706053. Toprak Celenay S, Ozkan T, Unluer NO. Short-term effects of trunk kinesio taping on trunk muscle endurance and postural stability in healthy young adults: A randomized controlled trial. Fizyoterapi Rehabilitasyon. 2019;30(2):89-96. doi:10.21653/tfrd.437491.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping With Rounded Shoulder Posture in University Students: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07364591
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 0000-0001-9243-0937
- Conditions
- Rounded Shoulder Posture, Kinesio Taping
- Keywords
- Posture, Kinesiotaping, students
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Selcuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Posture is maintained through the interaction of the musculoskeletal system, visual input, vestibular function, and proprioception to provide optimal balance with minimal energy expenditure. Various factors, including prolonged static sitting, unsuitable work environments, prolonged screen use, and low physical activity levels, may contribute to postural misalignment, particularly in student populations. Rounded shoulder posture is commonly associated with muscle imbalance, altered scapular alignment, pain in the neck and shoulder region, reduced range of motion, and functional limitations.
Kinesio taping is a physiotherapy intervention commonly used in orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Proposed effects include facilitation of proper muscular and fascial alignment, enhancement of proprioceptive feedback, and potential improvement in posture and movement quality. However, evidence regarding the immediate effects of kinesio taping on posture-related outcomes in individuals with rounded shoulder posture remains limited.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immediate effects of kinesio taping on posture, shoulder range of motion, and proprioception in students with rounded shoulder posture.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiotaping Group | Experimental | Other: Kinesiotaping |
| Sham Group | Sham comparator | Other: Kinesiotaping(no tension) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Being between 18-30 years of age
- Having an acromial distance ≥ 2.6 cm measured in the supine position with shoulders in a neutral position
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Having a surgical or pathological/neurological condition in the shoulder or spine region (rotator cuff repair, subacromial impingement syndrome, acute tendinitis, cervical disc herniation, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
- Having a neurological/systemic disease that may cause sensory problems
- Having an allergic reaction to the use of the tape
- Having a skin lesion, open wound, or skin infection at the taping site
- Using medication within the last 24-48 hours
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| KinesiotapingElastic kinesiology tape will be applied by a licensed physiotherapist with experience in taping. With the participant standing in scapular retraction and neutral posture, a Y- or I-strip is placed from the anterior aspect of the acromion toward the spinous process of T10, with 30-40% stretch over the mid-portion and 0% tension on anchors. A second overlay strip will be applied along the same path with 30-40% stretch to augment the mechanical cue. Skin will be cleaned and dried; hair trimmed if needed. Tape will be rubbed to activate adhesive. Total application time ≈3-5 minutes. Tape remains in place during immediate (≤3 minutes) and short-term (~30 minutes) assessments and is then removed. Adverse skin reactions will be monitored; tape will be removed immediately if irritation occurs. | Other | Kinesiotaping Group |
| Kinesiotaping(no tension)The sham application is performed in the same area and configuration as the experimental arm; however, the strip is applied completely without tension (0%) along its length and does not provide a therapeutic mechanical cue. To maintain blinding, a second strip is applied along the same path with 0% tension and approximately 50% overlap. Skin preparation and application-removal procedures are identical to the experimental condition. The tape remains in place during the immediate (≤3 minutes) and short-term (~30 minutes) assessments and is then removed. | Other | Sham Group |
Primary outcome
posture assessment
Time frame: Baseline (pre-taping), immediately after application, and 30 minutes post-application.
PostureScreen Mobile is a valid and reliable mobile application that provides clinical-level postural assessment and analysis. The application uses photographs captured with a mobile device camera from anterior, lateral, and posterior views to evaluate body alignment, asymmetries, and postural deviations. Through visual analysis, the application performs angular and linear measurements to support objective postural evaluation. Planned measurement parameters include head translation (cm), head tilt angle, shoulder translation (cm), shoulder tilt angle, rib cage translation (cm), rib cage tilt angle, pelvic translation (cm), pelvic tilt angle, craniovertebral angle, kyphosis angle, and pelvic tilt. To ensure measurement consistency, the mobile device camera position will be standardized at a fixed distance and height for all participants. To enhance visibility and measurement accuracy, participants will be assessed barefoot and wearing only underwear during photographic capture.
2 secondary outcomes
Assessment of Joint Range of Motion
Time frame: Measured at baseline, immediately after taping (≤3 minutes), and 30 minutes post-taping; primary comparison is change from baseline
Pressure pain threshold
Time frame: Measured at baseline, immediately after taping (≤3 minutes), and 30 minutes post-taping; primary comparison is change from baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Oct 2026.
- Results publicationBarker V. Postura, posizione, movimento. Roma: Edizioni Mediterranee; 1998. ISBN: 9788827212165. Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG. Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain. 5th ed. (Port.) São Paulo: Manole; 2007. Carini F, Mazzola M, Fici C, Palmeri S, Messina M, Damiani P, et al. Posture and posturology, anatomical and physiological profiles: overview and current state of art. Acta Biomed. 2017;88(1):11-16. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i1.5309. PMID: 28467328; PMCID: PMC6166197. Zhang C, Zhang J, Yang G. Association between internet addiction and the risk of upper cross syndrome in Chinese college students: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102(30):e34273. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034273. PMID: 37505162; PMCID: PMC10378816. Silva AG, Punt TD, Sharples P, Vilas-Boas JP, Johnson MI. Head posture and neck pain of chronic nontraumatic origin: a comparison between patients and pain-free persons. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90(4):669-674. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.10.018. PMID: 19345785. Kim EK, Kim JS. Correlation between rounded shoulder posture, neck disability indices, and degree of forward head posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(10):2929-2932. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.2929. PMID: 27821964; PMCID: PMC5088155. Kase K, Wallis J, Kase J. Clinical Therapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method. Tokyo: Ken Ikai Co.; 2003. Cho HY, Kim EH, Kim J, Yoon YW. Kinesio taping improves pain, range of motion, and proprioception in older patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(3):192-200. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000148. PMID: 25706053. Toprak Celenay S, Ozkan T, Unluer NO. Short-term effects of trunk kinesio taping on trunk muscle endurance and postural stability in healthy young adults: A randomized controlled trial. Fizyoterapi Rehabilitasyon. 2019;30(2):89-96. doi:10.21653/tfrd.437491.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Kinesiotaping and Kinesiotaping(no tension) in people with Rounded Shoulder Posture and Kinesio Taping, run by Selcuk University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact zehra korkut, Assist.Prof (0332 2233545, zehrakorkut85@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
posture assessment (time frame: Baseline (pre-taping), immediately after application, and 30 minutes post-application.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07364591, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Oct 2026.