Shaft of Clavicle Taping Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient experience of using kinesiology tape for acute mid-shaft clavicle fractures in adults. A convergence mixed methods study.
IRAS ID
317998
Contact name
Warren Sheehan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 18 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Clavicle fractures (broken collarbones) are a common musculoskeletal injury in adults which cause pain and limit function in the early phase of recovery. This can have significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. There is no nationally agreed pathway for non-operative management of these fractures however, it usually consists of using a polysling and/or a figure-of-8 sling. Some trauma centres around the UK use kinesiology tape but it is not widely used.Kinesiology tape has been used for various musculoskeletal conditions to help reduce pain and aid function, with varying degrees of success, however, there is limited evidence about its use with fractures. There is currently only one small RCT that explicitly explores the use of tape with clavicle fractures, with another ongoing study looking at taping of clavicle fractures for paediatric patients. However, there are no studies that involve NHS patients or include displaced, mid-shaft clavicle fractures.
A large scale multi-site randomised control trial is needed to explore the cost- effectiveness of kinesiology tape in managing pain following a midshaft clavicle fracture. Prior to undertaking a RCT, it is essential that the trial intervention is both optimal and deliverable for NHS patients. The aim of this study is to explore the patient experience of having a clavicle fracture and using kinesiology tape, whilst also looking at the ease of application and what is the optimal time the kinesiology tape should be worn for. This will help guide the design of the intervention for future feasibility and randomised control trials.
Summary of Results
Unfortunately, due to a clinical pathway change at the trust, only patients who had clavicle fractures that were considered for surgery were referred into the trauma clinic. These patients were approached when the decision was for non-operative management but all declined. The simpler fractures were discharged from the emergency department or minor injury units and so the number of patients referred to the trauma clinic was considerably lower than first thought. Due to the likelihood of understanding why they were not having an operation, all patients that were approached did not seem interested in taking part in the study. Due to clinical restraints of the recruiter and unpredictability of when patients would present to the emergency department or minor injury units with this injury, the trial could not be moved to these departments.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0072
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion