Rehabilitation Interventions After Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults

April 23, 2026 updated by: asuman saltan, University of Yalova

Rehabilitation Interventions After Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of foot massage and kinesio taping on functional performance and kinesiophobia in older adults following cardiac surgery. Early mobilization after cardiac surgery is essential for improving recovery outcomes; however, pain, fear of movement (kinesiophobia), and reduced functional capacity may delay rehabilitation in older patients.

Participants aged 65 years and older who have undergone cardiac surgery will be randomly assigned to either a foot massage group or a kinesio taping group. The foot massage group will receive daily bilateral foot massage for seven consecutive days, while the kinesio taping group will receive standardized kinesio taping applications to the foot and ankle region during the same period.

Functional performance, kinesiophobia, pain intensity, cognitive status, and delirium will be assessed using validated outcome measures, including the Timed Up and Go test, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Visual Analog Scale, Standardized Mini-Mental Test, and Nursing Delirium Screening Scale. Assessments will be conducted preoperatively and on the seventh postoperative day.

The study aims to determine whether non-pharmacological, easily applicable interventions such as foot massage and kinesio taping can enhance functional recovery, reduce fear of movement, and support early mobilization in older adults after cardiac surgery.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Cardiac surgery is associated with significant postoperative physical and psychological challenges, particularly in older adults. Age-related physiological changes, combined with the effects of major surgery, often result in decreased functional capacity, delayed mobilization, increased pain levels, and heightened fear of movement (kinesiophobia). Early mobilization is a key component of postoperative recovery; however, pain and psychological barriers may limit patients' willingness and ability to participate in rehabilitation processes.

Non-pharmacological interventions that are safe, simple, and easily applicable in clinical settings may play an important role in improving recovery outcomes. Foot massage is a widely used supportive intervention that can enhance circulation, stimulate sensory receptors, promote relaxation, and reduce pain perception. Similarly, kinesio taping is a non-invasive therapeutic approach that may improve proprioception, support joint stability, enhance circulation, and reduce pain through neuromuscular mechanisms.

Despite the potential benefits of these interventions, there is limited evidence regarding their effectiveness in older adults following cardiac surgery, particularly in relation to functional performance and kinesiophobia. Moreover, studies investigating the combined relationship between pain, functional mobility, and fear of movement in this population remain scarce.

The present study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of foot massage and kinesio taping on functional performance and kinesiophobia in older adults after cardiac surgery. Participants aged 65 years and older who have undergone cardiac surgery (e.g., coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery) and meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited from a tertiary hospital setting.

Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: a foot massage group or a kinesio taping group. The foot massage group will receive standardized bilateral foot massage using the Swedish massage technique for 20 minutes daily over a 7-day postoperative period. The kinesio taping group will receive kinesio taping applications applied to the foot and ankle region according to standardized procedures, with applications repeated during the same 7-day period.

Outcome measures will include functional performance assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, kinesiophobia assessed by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cognitive status assessed by the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), and delirium status assessed by the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC). Assessments will be conducted preoperatively and on the seventh postoperative day.

The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of foot massage and kinesio taping on functional performance. Secondary objectives include evaluating their effects on kinesiophobia, pain, cognitive status, and delirium. It is hypothesized that both interventions will improve functional outcomes, with kinesio taping having a greater effect on reducing kinesiophobia and foot massage having a stronger effect on pain reduction.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of effective, low-cost, and easily implementable rehabilitation strategies that support early mobilization and improve postoperative recovery in older adults undergoing cardiac surgery.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥65 years
  • Undergoing cardiac surgery (e.g., coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery)
  • Conscious and able to cooperate
  • Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease)
  • Lower extremity amputation or severe deformity
  • Impaired skin integrity in the application area
  • Contraindications to massage or kinesio taping
  • Refusal to participate

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Foot Massage Group
Participants will receive bilateral foot massage using the Swedish massage technique for 20 minutes daily over a 7-day postoperative period.
Other: Foot Massage
A standardized Swedish massage technique will be applied to the plantar surface of both feet. The intervention will include stroking and kneading techniques applied from the metatarsal heads to the heel and toes. Each session will last 20 minutes (10 minutes per foot) and will be performed daily for 7 consecutive days by a trained healthcare professional.
Experimental: Kinesio Taping Group
Participants will receive standardized kinesio taping applied to the foot and ankle region twice during a 7-day postoperative period.
Other: Kinesio Taping
Kinesio tape (5 cm width) will be applied to the foot and ankle region using standardized techniques. One strip will be applied around the ankle, and two strips will be applied to support the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of the foot. The tape will be applied with 25-75% tension and will be administered by a certified physiotherapist. Applications will be performed twice during a 7-day postoperative period and monitored regularly.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The time (in seconds) required for the participant to stand up from a seated position, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down will be recorded. Lower scores indicate better functional performance.
Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Kinesiophobia
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Kinesiophobia will be assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). The scale consists of 17 items scored between 17 and 68, with higher scores indicating greater fear of movement.
Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Pain Intensity
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Pain intensity will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where participants rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Cognitive Function
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Cognitive status will be assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), which evaluates orientation, memory, attention, and language functions. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Delirium Status
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7
Delirium will be assessed using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC), a 5-item observational tool with scores ranging from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate increased likelihood of delirium.
Preoperative baseline and postoperative day 7

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Yalova

Investigators

  • Study Director: Asuman SALTAN, University of Yalova

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

February 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 23, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AS-FOOT-KT-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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