Comparison of Kinesio Taping Techniques in Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

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. 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.

Inclusion Criteria: * 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) Exclusion Criteria: * 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. * 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