KinesioTaping for Thoracic Drain Support (KT-Drain)

Effect of KinesioTaping on Pain at Mediastinal-Thoracic Tube Sites After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Prospective Study

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Primary Condition: Pain, Postoperative; Associated Conditions: Cardiac Surgical Procedures, Thoracic Surgery
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Kinesiotaping; Drug: Dexketoprofen, tramadol

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 100
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Kastamonu
    • Kastamonu, Kastamonu, Turkey (Türkiye), 37200
      • Kastamonu Education and Research Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Kinesiotaping group; In this group, KinesioTaping will be applied alongside routine pain management.	Other: Kinesiotaping; 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.; Other Names: Kinesiotape
Active Comparator: Routine treatment group; This group will be managed with standard hospital-based painkiller administration.	Drug: Dexketoprofen, tramadol; Patients in this group will be treated with painkillers consisting of tramadol and dexketoprofen.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Day 3 Visual Analogue Scale Pain Score	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	3 day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kastamonu University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 12, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): December 12, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 20, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 29, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): August 1, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 14, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pain, Postoperative; Disease; Orthopedic Equipment; Surgical Equipment; Equipment and Supplies; Bandages; Orthotic Devices; Athletic Tape; tramadol, dexketoprofen drug combination
• Other Study ID Numbers: KastamonuUnii

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: yes
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Data will become available persistantly on 2.2.2026.
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Upon reasonable request principal investigator will share the data.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No