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Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Graston Application in Individuals With Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

NCT07438431 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 36

Last updated 2026-08-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is characterized by pain, stiffness, and discomfort that typically develop 24-72 hours after unaccustomed or intense physical activity. Previous studies suggest that both Kinesio taping and the Graston technique may help reduce DOMS-related symptoms. However, these two approaches have not been directly compared, and their effects on muscle oxygen saturation, peak squat force, and lower-extremity response time remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the short-term effects of Kinesio taping and the Graston technique in healthy participants with exercise-induced DOMS.

A total of 36 participants were randomly allocated to three groups: a Kinesio taping group, a Graston technique group, and a control group that received no therapeutic intervention and recovered naturally. Pain severity, muscle oxygen saturation, peak squat force, and lower-extremity response time were assessed 0h after the DOMS-induction protocol, before the interventions, and again 48 hours after the DOMS-induction protocol, corresponding to 48 hours after the interventions were initiated.

Conditions

  • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Interventions

OTHER

kinesio taping

In this study, a lymphatic Kinesio taping technique was applied over the quadriceps femoris muscle. Two 5-cm-wide Kinesio tapes were cut to an appropriate length according to the dimensions of the target area. Each tape was prepared in a fan-cut configuration consisting of an uncut base and five longitudinal tails. The base was applied proximally near the inguinal lymph nodes without tension. The five tails were then applied over the quadriceps femoris with approximately 15% tension, while the terminal portions of the tails were applied without tension. The application was performed with the participant in the supine position and the quadriceps muscle relaxed.

OTHER

Graston Technique

The Graston technique, a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, was applied using a stainless-steel instrument and baby oil as a lubricant. Participants were positioned supine with the quadriceps femoris relaxed. The convex surface of the instrument was applied sequentially over the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis muscles in a cranial-to-caudal direction. Each muscle was treated for 2 minutes, resulting in a total treatment duration of 6 minutes per session. The first session was performed immediately after the post-DOMS pre-intervention assessment, and the second session was performed 24 hours later.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Gazi University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-06-20
Primary Completion
2025-06-01
Completion
2025-06-01

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07438431 on ClinicalTrials.gov