The Effect of Kinesio Taping During Labor on Low Back Pain, Vaginal Birth Self-Efficacy, Postpartum Comfort Perception, and Newborn Apgar Scores

NCT07459231 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: EGE-SBE-SEY-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The Kinesio Taping® technique and Kinesio Tex® tape were invented by Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. in 1973. Developed by Kenzo Kase. This method emerged with the idea that good results could be obtained with a taping method that resembles the flexibility and structural properties of the skin without restricting the individual's normal joint movements. The purpose of taping is to reduce pain and improve healing in soft tissues; It has many effects such as increasing proprioception, reducing muscle fatigue, improving muscle function, reducing delayed onset muscle pain, pain inhibition, reducing edema, lymphatic drainage and blood flow regulation. It is argued that kinesiology taping, unlike classical taping techniques, provides mechanical support without restricting movement and increases the action mechanism of lymphatic systems and muscle.

Conditions

Low Back Pain; Pregnancy; Midwifery; Birth Self-efficacy

Keywords

Labor; birth process; Kinesio Taping; Low Back Pain; Vaginal Birth Self-Efficacy; Postpartum Comfort; Newborn Apgar Score

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Labor Low Back Pain Intensity

  Low back pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Visual Analog Scale ranges from 0 to 10 cm, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain intensity. Pain will be measured at three time points: * Active phase of labor (4-8 cm cervical dilation) * Transition phase (8-10 cm cervical dilation) * 5 hours postpartum

  During the active phase of labor (4-8 cm cervical dilatation), transition phase (8-10 cm), and at 5 hours postpartum.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Pain Severity (McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire Score)

  During active phase of labor (4-8 cm cervical dilatation) and at 5 hours postpartum.

• Vaginal Childbirth Self-Efficacy

  During active phase of labor (4-8 cm cervical dilatation).

• Postpartum Comfort Perception

  measured at the fifth hour postpartum

• Neonatal Apgar Scores

  At 1 and 5 minutes after delivery.

Study Arms (3)

Kinesio Taping Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Application of CE-marked kinesio taping to the lumbar region during active labor.

Device: Kinesio Taping

Placebo Tapping Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Application of non-therapeutic adhesive tape to the lumbar region during active labor.

Device: Placebo Taping

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Kinesio Taping DEVICE

Application of elastic therapeutic kinesiology tape to the lumbar region during the active phase of labor in addition to routine obstetric care.

Kinesio Taping Group

Placebo Taping DEVICE

Application of non-therapeutic adhesive tape to the lumbar region during the active phase of labor in addition to routine obstetric care.

Placebo Tapping Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: The inclusion criteria of the study include only women, provided that they are pregnant.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 18-45 years
• Singleton pregnancy
• Gestational age between 37-40 weeks
• In the active phase of labor (≥4 cm cervical dilation)
• Experiencing low back pain during labor
• No previous diagnosed lumbar spine disease
• No dermatological condition preventing kinesio or placebo taping
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Multiple pregnancy
• Cesarean delivery
• Pharmacological induction during labor (e.g., prostaglandins or oxytocin)
• Displacement or removal of the applied tape during labor
• Infection, sensory loss, or skin lesion at the taping site
• Allergy to kinesio tape or adhesive materials
• Withdrawal of consent at any stage of the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ege University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Izmır City Hospital

Izmir, Bayrakli, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (13)

• Jaron A, Konkol B, Gabrysz-Trybek E, Bladowska J, Grzywacz A, Nedjat A, Trybek G. Kinesio taping in various fields of medicine, dentistry, sport and physiotherapy. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2021, 13(2), 11-25. Doi: 10.29359/BJHPA.13.2.02

  BACKGROUND

• Gutke A, Betten C, Degerskär K, Pousette S, Olsén MF. Treatments for pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: A systematic review of physiotherapy modalities. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2015, 94(11), 1156-67. Doi: 10.1111/aogs.12681

  BACKGROUND

• Kalinowski P, Krawulska A. Kinesio taping vs. placebo in reducing pregnancy-related low back pain: A cross-over study. Medical Science Monitor, 2017, 23, 6114-6120. Doi:10.12659/Msm.904766

  BACKGROUND

• Xue X, Chen Y, Mao X, Tu H, Yang X, Deng Z, Li N. Effect of kinesio taping on low back pain during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2021, 21(1), 712. Doi: 10.1186/S12884-021-04197-3

  BACKGROUND

• Uysal, C., İlkay, B. O. Z., & SALMAN, S. (2022). Doğum Eyleminin Aktif Fazında Yaşanan Bel Ağrısının Yönetiminde Steril Su Enjeksiyonunun Etkisi: Randomize, Plasebo Kontrollü Bir Çalışma. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 15(2), 163-174.

  BACKGROUND

• Kase K. Kinesio taping in pediatrics: Fundamentals and whole-body taping. In: Kase K, Wallis J, Kase T. editors. Newyork: LLC. 2006.

  BACKGROUND

• Kase K, Wallis J, Kase T. Clinical therapeutic application of the kinesiotaping method. Tokyo, Japan: Ken Ikai Co Ltd; 2003.

  BACKGROUND

• Cline ME, Herman J, Show F, Marton RD Standardization of the visual analoque scale. Nurs Res.1992; 41(6):378-379.

  BACKGROUND

• Chu, K.H., Chen, A.C., Tai, C.J., Chen, S.H., Chien, L.Y. (2017). Development and validation of the selfefficacy regarding vaginal birth scale. JOGNN, 46, e13-e2

  BACKGROUND

• Chinchilla-Ochoa D, Peón PBC, FarfánLabonne BE, Garza-Morales S, LeffGelman P, Flores-Ramos M. Depressive symptoms in pregnant women with high trait and state anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. International Journal of Women's Health 2019; 11:257

  BACKGROUND

• Açıkyol T., Lumbar disk hernisi olan hastalarda kinezyo bantlama ve manuel terapi etkilerinin karşılaştırılması, Hasan Kalyoncu Ünı̇versı̇tesı̇ Sağlık Bı̇lı̇mlerı̇ Enstı̇tüsü, Gaziantep, 2020, Yüksek Lisans Tezi

  BACKGROUND

• Baykal, Z. (2008). Bel ağrısı olan gebelerde progresif gevşeme egzersizlerinin ağrı algısına ve yaşam kalitesi üzerine etkisi. Ege Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Yüksek Lisans Tezi, İzmir.

  BACKGROUND

• Biz C, Nicoletti P, Tomasin M, Bragazzi NL, Di Rubbo G, Ruggieri P. Is kinesio taping effective for sport performance and ankle function of athletes with chronic ankle ınstability (CAI) A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 2022, 58(5), 620. Doi:10.3390/Medicina58050620

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Seyma N Ergun Yilmaz, Degree

  Ege University Institute of Health Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Zehra Baykal Akmese, Assoc.Prof.Dr.

  Ege University Institute of Health Sciences

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Yasam K Akpak, Assoc.Prof.Dr.

  Izmir City Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Health Sciences, İzmir Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Mehmet Ozkeskin, Assoc.Prof.Dr.

  Ege University Faculty of Health Sciences

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: This study was conducted using a single-blind design. Participants were blinded to group allocation to minimize placebo effects and potential bias. Due to the nature of the intervention, the care provider applying the taping and the investigator were not blinded.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Midwife, MSc Ege University

Model Details: This is a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled clinical investigation. Sample size was calculated using G\*Power 3.1 based on an F test (ANOVA: repeated measures, between factors), assuming a medium effect size (f = 0.50), α = 0.05, and 95% power, yielding a minimum required sample of 45 participants. To account for potential attrition, 60 participants were initially planned. Due to feasibility within the data collection period, 75 participants were enrolled and randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to Kinesio Taping (n=25), Placebo Taping (n=25), or Control (n=25) groups using computer-generated simple randomization (randomizer.org).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2026
• First Posted: March 9, 2026
• Study Start: July 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 15, 2025
• Study Completion: October 15, 2025
• Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

TU (1)