The effect of Kinesio tape application on postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery for benign reasons: a randomized controlled study

OpenAlex İngilizce

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pain management remains a significant challenge in laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Kinesio tape has emerged as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for pain management across various surgical procedures. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio tape application on postoperative pain levels and recovery parameters in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery for benign conditions. METHODS: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Mersin University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from October 2024 to January 2025. Fifty-four female patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to kinesio tape group (n = 27) or control group (n = 27). Pain assessment was performed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and algometer measurements. Secondary outcomes included mobilization frequency, time to first flatus, and analgesic consumption. RESULTS: The kinesio tape group demonstrated significantly lower postoperative pain scores compared to controls (VAS: median 1 vs. 4, p < 0.001; NRS: median 3 vs. 7, p < 0.001). Patients in the kinesio tape group showed earlier gas passage (11.67 ± 4.4 vs. 16.11 ± 5.1 h, p = 0.001), increased mobilization frequency (9.89 ± 3.2 vs. 5.41 ± 1.8 per 24 h, p < 0.001), and reduced analgesic consumption for diclofenac sodium (166.67 ± 37.9 vs. 211.11 ± 29.7 mg, p < 0.001) and acetaminophen (2185.19 ± 557.3 vs. 2925.93 ± 266.9 mg, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Kinesio tape application significantly reduces postoperative pain, enhances early mobilization, and decreases analgesic requirements in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery, representing a valuable adjunct to multimodal pain management strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, NCT06648811 URL https//www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov , Date of Registration 10.10.2024.