Associated Conditions: Cardiac Surgical Procedures, Thoracic Surgery, Primary Condition: Pain, Postoperative
Conditions
Brief summary
This study investigates the effectiveness of KinesioTaping applied around mediastinal and thoracic drain sites in reducing postoperative pain after cardiac surgery. Effective pain management is critical for early mobilization, improved patient satisfaction, and prevention of respiratory complications such as atelectasis. KinesioTaping is theorized to support soft tissue healing, improve circulation, and modulate pain through stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors and fascia adjustment. However, evidence on its efficacy in postoperative settings remains limited. This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to provide high-quality data on the role of KinesioTaping as a non-pharmacological adjunct for pain management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Detailed description
Postoperative pain following cardiac surgery is a significant clinical concern that can hinder early mobilization, reduce patient satisfaction, prolong hospital stay, and increase the risk of respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia. While pharmacological analgesia remains the mainstay of treatment, non-pharmacological adjuncts are increasingly being explored to enhance pain control and reduce reliance on opioids. KinesioTaping (KT), a method originally developed for musculoskeletal conditions, involves the application of elastic therapeutic tape to the skin with the aim of supporting soft tissue structures, enhancing lymphatic and blood flow, and modulating nociceptive input via stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors. In the context of postoperative care, KT may also help reduce localized edema, support incision sites, and promote a sense of physical stability that contributes to pain relief. Despite its growing popularity in rehabilitation and sports medicine, the use of KinesioTaping in postoperative settings-particularly in cardiothoracic surgery-remains under-investigated. Limited studies have suggested potential benefits in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes, but current evidence is inconclusive and often methodologically limited. This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of KinesioTaping when applied around mediastinal and thoracic drain sites in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The primary objective is to assess postoperative pain levels using validated pain scales (e.g., VAS) in patients receiving KT versus those receiving standard care without taping. Secondary outcomes include opioid consumption, time to ambulation, respiratory function (spirometry or incentive spirometry use), incidence of atelectasis, and patient satisfaction scores. By providing high-quality evidence on a low-cost, non-invasive, and easily applicable intervention, this study seeks to clarify the potential role of KinesioTaping as an adjunctive tool in postoperative pain management protocols following cardiac surgery.
Interventions
OTHERKinesiotaping
In this group, KinesioTaping will be applied around the thoracic drain sites alongside standard analgesic therapy. This physical therapy technique uses elastic tapes placed on the skin to support healing, reduce pain, and improve patient comfort. The tapes will remain in place for 2-3 days and will be removed together with the drains.
DRUGparacetamol tramadol
Patients in this group will be treated with painkillers consisting of tramadol and paracetamol
Sponsors
Kastamonu University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Elective cardiac surgery cases * Patients who are stable until the removal of the chest drain * Patients who do not experience serious complications such as bleeding or neurological problems
Exclusion criteria
* Patients undergoing emergency cardiac surgery, * Patients with early post-cardiac surgery mortality, * Patients with conditions requiring reoperation, such as bleeding, * Patients for whom a pain score cannot be measured, such as neurological complications
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Day 3 Visual Analogue Scale Pain Score | 3 day | Visual analog scale pain score on the 3th day after cardiac surgery. Pain is defined as no pain (0) or unbearable pain (10). 0 = No pain, 1-3 = Mild pain, 4-6 = Moderate pain, 7-10 = Severe pain |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed