Kinesio Taping Versus Dry Cupping Therapy in Treatment of Thoracic Kyphosis

NCT07373925 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T/REC/012/006192
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping versus dry cupping therapy in the treatment of thoracic kyphosis

Conditions

Thoracic Kyphosis

Keywords

Kinesio taping; Dry Cupping Therapy; Thoracic Kyphosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity Level

  A visual analogue scale (VAS) will be used to measure the intensity of pain. With a score of 0 for no pain and 10 for the worst pain ever, this psychometric response scale, which measures pain intensity based on numerical values, is 10 cm or 100 mm in length. The interclass correlation ranges for the VAS, a validated and dependable measure of pain intensity, are 0.95 to 0.98. Patients rated their level of pain as mild if they scored 3.4 or less, moderate if they scored 3.5 to 7.4, and severe if they scored 7.5 or higher.

  up to 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Thoracic-curve angle

  up to 4 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Kinesio taping

EXPERIMENTAL

16 participants will receive Kinesio taping once a week for 4 weeks + traditional treatment

Other: Kinesio taping; Other: Conventional treatment

Dry Cupping Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

16 participants will receive Dry Cupping Therapy 3 times a week for 4 weeks + traditional treatment

Other: Dry Cupping Therapy; Other: Conventional treatment

Conventional treatment

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

16 participants will receive traditional treatment

Other: Conventional treatment

Interventions

Dry Cupping Therapy OTHER

Participants in this group will receive three sessions per week for four weeks. Two sessions will include cupping therapy in addition to conventional treatment, while one session will consist of conventional treatment only. Six stationary cups will be placed directly around the thoracic spine three cups on each side of the spine. Reusable acrylic cups of medium diameter (3.5 cm) will be used for each individual at each session. The participant will be asked to lie prone. Before beginning the session, if any signs of dehydration are identified by the therapist, coconut oil will be applied to the region in order to hydrate the skin. cups will initially be applied through two suctions by the hand pump, "moderate" suction, which generates a negative pressure of approximately 300 millibar. For participants who report considerable discomfort, the pressure will slightly be minimized according to the individual sensation. cups will be positioned around the thoracic region for 10 Min.

Dry Cupping Therapy

Kinesio taping OTHER

The subjects in this group will be treated with KT in addition to the traditional treatment for thoracic kyphosis. Elastic tape (Kinesio tape, Kinesio® Tex Classic, Kinesio Holding Corporation, New Mexico, USA) 5 cm in width will be applied on the upper back of participants by a certified physiotherapist. When applying the tape, the participants will be in an upright standing position with both arms along the side of the body in a relaxed position. Taping will be applied from a starting point at the anterior aspect of the acromioclavicular joint and will be applied across the spinous process at T6 with the tape ending around T12 paraspinal muscle. The elastic tape will be applied with a stretch of approximately 150 %, .Taping will not be taken off for four days. After day four, it will be taken off and the skin will be rested for two days. Taping application will be repeated on day 7. The patients in this group will be followed for four weeks.

Kinesio taping

Conventional treatment OTHER

The participants in this group will receive conventional treatment that will include advices, stretching, strengthening and functional exercises 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks.

Conventional treatment; Dry Cupping Therapy; Kinesio taping

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Subjects with thoracic kyphosis angle \> 40° diagnosed by a medical doctor will be selected from Damietta University's clinic of physical education faculty.
• Subjects from both genders with an age range between 18 and 30 years .
• Subjects who are physically active in physical education sessions

You may not qualify if:

• Subjects with medical conditions that restrict activity.
• Those who received exercise intervention for kyphosis.
• Structural thoracic kyphosis, defined as thoracic kyphosis that did not partially or completely disappear during prone extension, as assessed by a physical therapist.
• Medical history of spinal fracture, spinal surgery, shoulder joint injury or pelvic injury.
• Other spinal diseases; presence of scoliosis on Adam's forward bend test.
• Spinal kyphosis due to visible thoracic deformity.
• Subjects undergoing professional sports training.
• Skin disease (dermatitis, psoriasis), neurological disease or cancer.
• Using anticoagulants or nonsteroidal antidepressants.
• Inflammatory or rheumatologic disorders of the spine.
• Severe cardiopulmonary disease, rheumatic disease or pregnancy.
• Have a pacemaker or metal implants.
• Do not understand the written consent form.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Central Study Contacts

Aya Sultan, Master

CONTACT

0 10 95506899; yoyasulta96@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: sealed envelopes
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator: Aya Alaa Eldeen Sultan

Model Details: Kinesio taping and Dry Cupping Therapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 21, 2026
• First Posted: January 28, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01