Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Kinesio Taping for Pain and Recovery After Cesarean Delivery
Sponsor: Ibrahim Ethem Kirez
Summary
This study examined whether elastic therapeutic tape, known as kinesio tape, applied to the lower abdomen after cesarean delivery could reduce pain and improve recovery when added to standard postoperative care. The study included 72 women aged 18-45 years who underwent repeat cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia at a single hospital in Türkiye. Participants were assigned by chance to three groups of 24 women: kinesio taping, sham taping, or standard care without tape. Sham taping used a simple tape application without the therapeutic technique used in the kinesio taping group. All three groups received the same standard pain medication regimen. Tape was applied 8 hours after surgery. Pain was assessed before taping at 8 hours and again at 9, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire about their recovery at 24 hours. The study also recorded the time to first passage of gas and first bowel movement, as well as skin reactions and difficulty tolerating the tape.
Official title: Evaluation of the Effect of Kinesio Taping After Cesarean Delivery on Postoperative Pain and Quality of Recovery
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
72
Start Date
2026-05-11
Completion Date
2026-09-14
Last Updated
2026-10-02
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Kinesio Taping
Therapeutic kinesio taping was applied at the 8th postoperative hour following cesarean delivery, in addition to standard postoperative care. The application was performed with the participant in the supine position by the same trained investigator. Two 15-cm fan-shaped strips were applied bilaterally to the lower abdomen, with the anchor portions positioned over the inguinal regions and the fan tails directed superiorly. A 20-cm web-shaped strip was applied approximately 2-3 cm above the Pfannenstiel incision. The fan and web strips did not overlap, and the surgical incision and dressing were kept free of tape. The skin was clean and dry before application, the tape corners were rounded, and the tape was applied without tension.
Sham Taping
Sham taping was applied at the 8th postoperative hour with the participant in the supine position by the same investigator who performed therapeutic taping. The same kinesiology tape material was used. One straight strip, approximately 15 cm long and 5 cm wide, was applied about 3 cm above the Pfannenstiel incision without contacting the dressing. The tape was placed in a neutral orientation without therapeutic tension. No lymphatic fan technique, web-cut taping, therapeutic directional placement, or other kinesio taping principles targeting pain or edema were used. Participants were not informed whether they received therapeutic or sham taping. The tape was to be removed in case of skin reaction, intolerance, or participant request.
Locations (1)
Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)