Clinical Research Directory

Kinesio Taping for Pain and Recovery After Cesarean Delivery

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.