Ulnar Nerve EntrapmentNCT07863830
Comparison of Kinesio Taping Techniques in Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
A study testing Kinesio Taping with Space-Correction Technique, Kinesio Taping with Neural Technique and Home Exercise Program in people with Ulnar Nerve Entrapment and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, run by Antalya Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the efficacy of space-correction kinesio taping and neural technique kinesio taping-when added to a home exercise program-versus placebo taping with exercise in individuals with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Ulnar Neuropathy at Elbow
- What is being tested?
- Kinesio Taping with Space-Correction Technique, Kinesio Taping with Neural Technique and Home Exercise Program
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 9 Oct 2026to Mar 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
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 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients aged 18 years and older who provide written informed consent
- Electrophysiologically confirmed ulnar neuropathy entrapped between 4 cm below and 6 cm above the elbow
- Duration of symptoms for at least 1 month (presence of one or more symptoms such as paresthesia in the 4th and 5th digits corresponding to the ulnar nerve distribution, hand weakness during gross grip movements, elbow pain, or nighttime complaints)
Who cannot join
- Ulnar nerve transection or trauma (e.g., fracture, subluxation)
- Presence of thenar, hypothenar, or intrinsic muscle atrophy
- Electrophysiologically confirmed diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, brachial plexopathy, or thoracic outlet syndrome
- Conditions causing chronic inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy: diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Vascular lesions causing local vasospasm: Raynaud's syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (CRPS)
- Conditions causing generalized peripheral neuropathy: uremia, diabetes mellitus, toxic causes, malnutrition, etc.
Show all 13Show fewer
- Malignancy
- Pregnancy
- Having received treatment for distal ulnar neuropathy (DUN) or cubital tunnel syndrome within the last 3 months
- Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Impaired skin barrier in the area to be taped (e.g., open wound, cellulitis, burn) or presence of malignant tissue in that region
- Acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Presence of cognitive or psychiatric disorders that would prevent participation in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Antalya Training and Research Hospital
Antalya, Antalya, 07100
Şebnem KOLDAŞ DOĞAN, Prof.Dr., 05323935662, sebnemkoldas@yahoo.com
Sevdiye KARACA, Dr., 05549740162, karacasevdiye@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Efficacy of Neural Technique and Space Correction Kinesio Taping Techniques in Individuals With Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Neuropathy at the Elbow Level
The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the efficacy of space-correction kinesio taping and neural technique kinesio taping-when added to a home exercise program-versus placebo taping with exercise in individuals with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the second most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. It leads to symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the fourth and fifth digits, hand muscle weakness, and reduced manual dexterity, which negatively impact quality of life. Conservative treatment options include activity modification, nerve gliding exercises, and kinesio taping. Although kinesio taping is widely used in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, evidence regarding the comparative efficacy of different taping techniques in ulnar nerve entrapment remains limited.
Read more
In this study, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to three groups:
Space-Correction Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group Neural Technique Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group Placebo Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group The taping intervention will be administered over 3 weeks for a total of 3 sessions (1 session per week, with tape applied for 3 days followed by a 4-day tape-free interval). All participants will receive activity modification education and perform home ulnar nerve gliding exercises twice daily (10 repetitions per session) for 3 weeks. Outcome evaluations-including symptom severity, clinical parameters, and electrophysiological measurements-will be conducted at baseline, at the end of week 3 (post-treatment), and at the 3-month follow-up.
Read the detailed description
Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) is the second most common entrapment neuropathy affecting the upper extremity. Clinically, it impairs the patient's quality of life by causing numbness and paresthesia in the fifth digit and ulnar half of the fourth digit, decreased hand grip strength, intrinsic muscle weakness, and loss of manual dexterity. Conservative treatment options include patient education, activity modification (avoiding provocative elbow flexion and long-term surface contact), nerve gliding exercises, and kinesio taping.
Although kinesio taping has demonstrated significant improvements in functionality, symptom severity, grip strength, and electrophysiological parameters in peripheral nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, comparative evidence evaluating the efficacy of specific kinesio taping techniques (e.g., space correction and neural technique) in ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow remains insufficient.
The primary objective of this prospective, randomized controlled study is to compare the efficacy of space-correction kinesio taping and neural technique kinesio taping-when added to a structured home exercise program-versus placebo taping with exercise on clinical, functional, and electrophysiological outcomes in patients with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.
Intervention Protocol: Eligible participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated into three intervention groups:
Space-Correction Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group: Participants will receive space-correction kinesio taping. It will be applied over the cubital tunnel region with approximately 25-50% tension while the elbow is in flexion.
Neural Technique Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group: Participants will receive neural technique kinesio taping. It will be applied along the anatomical course of the ulnar nerve with 50% tension.
Placebo Kinesio Taping + Exercise Group: Participants will receive tape applied to the upper-lateral arm (unrelated to the ulnar nerve course) without any tension.
Application Schedule: Taping will be applied for a total of 3 weeks (1 session per week; tape remains in place for 3 days followed by a 4-day tape-free period). All three groups will receive activity modification instructions and perform a standardized home exercise program (ulnar nerve gliding exercises, 10 repetitions per session, 2 times daily for 3 weeks).
Outcome Evaluations: Evaluations-encompassing symptom severity, clinical parameters, hand grip strength, and electrophysiological (EDX) findings-will be conducted at three different time points:
Baseline (pre-treatment) Week 3 (at the end of intervention, to evaluate acute therapeutic effects) Month 3 (at the 3-month follow-up, to evaluate the long-term sustainability of treatment effects)
- Being tested
- Kinesio Taping with Space-Correction Technique, Kinesio Taping with Neural Technique, Sham/Placebo Taping, Home Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, Kinesio Taping, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Neural Techniques, Space Correction Taping, Nerve Gliding Exercises, Conservative Treatment, Upper Extremity Neuropathy, Neural Mobilization
- Medical subject headings
- Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Kinesio Taping with Space-Correction TechniqueOther
Space-correction Kinesio taping technique applied around the cubital tunnel combined with a home exercise program.
Kinesio Taping with Neural TechniqueOther
Neural technique Kinesio taping along the path of the ulnar nerve combined with a home exercise program.
Sham/Placebo TapingOther
Non-tension sham taping applied near the cubital tunnel combined with a home exercise program.
Home Exercise ProgramOther
A structured home exercise program including ulnar nerve gliding exercises
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Space-Correction Taping + Exercise | Experimental | Participants receive Space-Correction Kinesio Taping applied to the cubital tunnel region along with a structured home exercise program. Receives: Other: Kinesio Taping with Space-Correction Technique; Other: Home Exercise Program |
| Neural Technique Taping + Exercise | Experimental | Participants receive Neural Technique Kinesio Taping applied to the cubital tunnel region along with a structured home exercise program. Receives: Other: Kinesio Taping with Neural Technique; Other: Home Exercise Program |
| Placebo Taping + Exercise | Placebo comparator | Participants receive placebo Kinesio Taping applied to the cubital tunnel region along with a structured home exercise program. Receives: Other: Sham/Placebo Taping; Other: Home Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Daytime Pain
Evaluates daytime pain intensity using a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Higher scores indicate more severe pain.
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Secondary outcomes (11)
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Nighttime Pain and Associated Symptoms
Evaluates nighttime pain, numbness/paresthesia, weakness, and clumsiness using separate 10-cm visual analog scales (0 to 10 for each symptom). Each symptom is evaluated independently, where higher scores represent greater symptom severity.
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Tinel's Sign Positivity Rate
Percentage of participants with a positive Tinel's sign evaluated at the cubital tunnel.
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Elbow Flexion Test Positivity Rate
Percentage of participants with a positive result for the Elbow Flexion Test.
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months
Ulnar Nerve Compression Test Positivity Rate
Percentage of participants with a positive result for the Ulnar Nerve Compression Test.
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months
Hand Grip Strength
Evaluates the mean hand grip strength of three consecutive trials measured in kilograms (kg) using a standard hand dynamometer
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Score
Evaluates physical disability and symptoms in upper limb disorders using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Short Form-36 (SF-36) Subscale Scores
Assesses health-related quality of life across 8 individual domains (Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health). Each domain is scored separately from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health status.
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Ulnar Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity Across the Elbow
Assesses the motor nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve across the elbow segment (in meters per second, m/s).
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks (post-treatment), and 3 months (follow-up)
Ulnar Nerve Distal Motor Latency
Assesses the distal motor latency difference between entrapment sites for the ulnar nerve (in milliseconds, ms).
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months
Ulnar Sensory Nerve Conduction Velocity
Assesses the sensory nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve (in meters per second, m/s).
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months
Ulnar Sensory Distal Latency
Assesses the sensory distal latency of the ulnar nerve (in milliseconds, ms).
Measured: Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Oct 2026
- Study start9 Oct 2026
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Ulnar Nerve EntrapmentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Antalya Training and Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Şebnem K. Doğan, Prof.Dr., Principal investigator, Antalya Training and Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07863830
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 59
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Sahin MA, Cigdem-Karacay B, Konar NM, Tuncay F. Comparison of the Effectiveness of 2 Different Kinesio Taping Techniques Added to Exercises in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial, Double-Blind, Parallel Groups. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Sep;105(9):1657-1665. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.05.023. Epub 2024 Jun 6.
PubMed 38851555Geler Kulcu D, Bursali C, Aktas I, Bozkurt Alp S, Unlu Ozkan F, Akpinar P. Kinesiotaping as an alternative treatment method for carpal tunnel syndrome. Turk J Med Sci. 2016 Jun 23;46(4):1042-9. doi: 10.3906/sag-1503-4.
PubMed 27513402