Pilot Trial of Kinesio Taping in Stage II Cellulite

NCT07202013 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: CELLULITE-KT-RCT-012024-12-27, Nr. SSV6-114
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether kinesio taping can improve skin structure and reduce stage II cellulite in women. The study focuses on adult female participants aged 18-45 with stage II cellulite and normal BMI. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does kinesio taping increase dermis density? Does kinesio taping improve low echogenic band (LEB) thickness, an ultrasound marker of skin structure? Researchers will compare an experimental group receiving weekly fan-shaped kinesio tape applications on thighs and buttocks for four weeks to a control group that receives no intervention, to see if kinesio taping improves clinical and instrumental measures of cellulite. Participants will: Undergo baseline and follow-up assessments, including body composition, thigh circumference, cellulite stage scoring, and ultrasound of dermis density and LEB. In the experimental group, receive kinesio taping applied once weekly for four weeks on the buttocks and thighs. Return for re-evaluation immediately after the intervention and four weeks later.

Conditions

Cellulite of Thighs

Keywords

cellulite; Kinesio Taping; Skin Structure; Dermis Density; Low Echogenic Band; Body composition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Low Echogenic Band (LEB) Thickness

  LEB thickness, a subepidermal ultrasound marker of skin integrity and cellulite severity, will be measured using high-frequency ultrasound (DermaLab Combo 4).

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention).

• Change in Dermis Density

  Dermis density will be assessed using high-frequency ultrasound (DermaLab Combo 4) to evaluate changes in skin structure associated with cellulite.

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention).

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change in Thigh Circumference

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention)

• Change in Body Fat Percentage

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention)

• Change in Cellulite Stage (Nürnberger-Müller Scale)

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention)

• Change in Cellulite Severity (Callegari Soft Plus System)

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention)

• Change in Fat Mass (kg)

  Baseline to 4 weeks (end of intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Kinesio taping

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received kinesio taping once weekly for four weeks. Fan-shaped elastic therapeutic tape was applied with 0-15% tension to the thighs and buttocks, including the gluteus maximus, posterior thigh, and anterior thigh, to promote lymphatic drainage, improve microcirculation, and support skin structure.

Other: Kinesio taping

No intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm did not receive any intervention during the study period. They completed the same baseline, post-intervention (4 weeks) assessments as the experimental group to allow comparison of outcomes without kinesio taping.

Interventions

Kinesio taping OTHER

Kinesio taping was applied in a fan-shaped pattern once weekly for four consecutive weeks. Elastic therapeutic tape was applied with 0-15% tension to the buttocks and thighs at standardized anatomical points, including the gluteus maximus (above the sacroiliac joint), posterior thigh (gluteal fold), and anterior thigh (above the anterior inferior iliac crest). This protocol was designed to promote lymphatic drainage, improve microcirculation, and enhance dermal density and structure in women with stage II cellulite.

Kinesio taping

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• women,
• aged 18-45,
• with Stage II cellulite,
• normal BMI

You may not qualify if:

• pregnancy,
• edema,
• obesity,
• thrombosis,
• skin infections

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Klaipedos valstybine kolegija: lead

Study Sites (1)

Klaipedos valstybine kolegija

Klaipėda, Lithuania

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cellulite

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Skin Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Laura Zaliene, PhD

  Klaipedos valstybine kolegija

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 16, 2025
• First Posted: October 1, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2025
• Study Completion: May 31, 2025
• Last Updated: October 1, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

LI (1)