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Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)NCT07438431

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

A study testing kinesio taping and Graston Technique in people with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial 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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
What is being tested?
kinesio taping and Graston Technique
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
20 Jun 2024to 1 Jun 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Being between 18 and 30 years of age
  • Being classified as inactive according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
  • Having a body mass index below 25

Who cannot join

  • Presence of a chronic disease
  • History of lower extremity orthopedic disorders or surgery
  • Current lower extremity muscle pain
  • History of lower extremity trauma within the last month
  • Use of medications that may affect the musculoskeletal system (e.g., muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Caffeine consumption within 24 hours before exercise
  • Participation in another exercise or intense physical activity within 24 hours before the test
  • Use of performance-enhancing supplements

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site

  • Gazi University

    Ankara, Please Select, 06490

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and the Graston Technique on Pain, Muscle Oxygen Saturation, Peak Squat Force, and Lower-Extremity Response Time in Individuals With Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

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.

Read the detailed description

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

A total of 36 healthy 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 0hours after the DOMS-induction protocol, before initiation of the interventions, and again 48hours after the DOMS-induction protocol. The changes in these outcomes were statistically compared among the groups.

Being tested
kinesio taping, Graston Technique
Keywords
physiotherapy, kinesio taping, graston technique

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • kinesio tapingOther

    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.

  • Graston TechniqueOther

    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.

Study groups in NCT07438431
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Kinesio TapingActive comparatorThe group of individuals who will undergo kinesio taping application.
Receives: Other: kinesio taping
Graston TechniqueExperimentalThe group of individuals who will undergo Graston technique application.
Receives: Other: Graston Technique
ControlNo interventionspontaneous recovery process

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Visual Analog Scale

    Pain severity was assessed using a 10-cm horizontal Visual Analog Scale (VAS), anchored by 0 ("no pain") and 10 ("worst imaginable pain"). Participants were asked to mark the point on the line that best represented their perceived pain intensity. The distance from the 0 anchor to the marked point was measured in centimetres using a ruler, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity. Pain was assessed separately at rest and during the squat task.

    Measured: 48 hours

Secondary outcomes (3)

  1. Peak Squat Force

    Peak squat force was assessed using the K-Force Plates (K-Invent®, France). Participants performed single-leg squats on the exercised dominant lower extremity to approximately 90-100° of knee flexion. Three 10-second trials were performed, with a 60-second rest period between trials. Participants were instructed to perform as many squat repetitions as possible while maintaining proper technique. Peak squat force recorded during the task was used for analysis.

    Measured: 48 hours

  2. Response Time

    Lower-extremity response time was assessed using the BlazePod™ system (Play Coyotta Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel), a light-based visual stimulus system with reported test-retest reliability for response-time assessment. Participants performed the test in a seated position. Following a visual light stimulus, they were instructed to touch the illuminated pod as quickly as possible using the exercised lower extremity. The time between presentation of the visual stimulus and contact with the pod was recorded by the system. Mean response time, expressed in milliseconds (ms), was used for analysis, with lower values indicating faster responses.

    Measured: 48 hours

  3. Muscle Oxygen Saturation (SmO₂)

    Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) was measured using a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device (Train.Red, The Netherlands). The sensor was positioned over the rectus femoris muscle of the dominant lower extremity and secured using the strap provided with the device. The sensor position was standardized across assessments to ensure consistent placement. Muscle oxygen saturation was recorded during a 30-second unilateral squat task, and the mean SmO₂ (%) value obtained during the task was used for analysis.

    Measured: 48 hours

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted27 Feb 2026
  2. Study start20 Jun 2024
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2025
  4. Study completion1 Jun 2025

Resources

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
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
36 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07438431
Sponsor's protocol ID
2024 - 635
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
18 Feb 2026
Last updated
13 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Heiss R, Lutter C, Freiwald J, Hoppe MW, Grim C, Poettgen K, Forst R, Bloch W, Huttel M, Hotfiel T. Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) - Part II: Treatment and Prevention. Sportverletz Sportschaden. 2019 Mar;33(1):21-29. doi: 10.1055/a-0810-3516. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

    PubMed 30865998

  • Stanek J, Sullivan T, Davis S. Comparison of Compressive Myofascial Release and the Graston Technique for Improving Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion. J Athl Train. 2018 Feb;53(2):160-167. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-386-16. Epub 2018 Jan 26.

    PubMed 29373060

  • Song W, Yang Y. Effect of Kinesio taping on delayed-onset muscle soreness in elite athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2022 May;62(5):667-672. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12280-7. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

    PubMed 33768777

  • Camacho MA, Herrera E, Barela JA, Delgado-Diaz DC. Kinesiotaping Diminishes Delayed Muscle Soreness but does not Improve Muscular Performance. Int J Sports Med. 2020 Aug;41(9):596-602. doi: 10.1055/a-1088-5223. Epub 2020 May 12.

    PubMed 32396966

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing kinesio taping and Graston Technique in people with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 3 inclusion and 8 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. 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?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Visual Analog Scale (time frame: 48 hours). 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 NCT07438431, which also lists 4 linked publications.

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 13 Aug 2026.

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