Kinesio Taping for pain control during labor: Protocol of a
randomized, controlled trial
Maria Amelia Miquelutti, PT, PhD† and José Guilherme Cecatti, MD, PhD
Abstract
Background– This study protocol will evaluate the effectiveness and safety during labor and delivery of the Kinesio Taping bandage
for pain sensation, satisfaction of patients, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes
Methods/ Materials– A randomized controlled trial with 60 participants divided into two groups will be conducted. The intervention group will receive bandage application on the vertebral regions corresponding to uterine dermatomes – from T10 to L1 and from S2 to S4. The control group will receive bandage application away from uterine dermatomes, from T1 to T4. The primary endpoint is pain during labor. Secondary endpoints are perinatal outcomes and patient satisfaction with the bandage and with her labor. Pain levels will be evaluated on an hourly basis during labor, and intention-to-treat analysis will be performed. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals will be calculated.
Results– Findings on effectiveness of pain control with no adverse effects to both the mother and neonate are the first step in evaluating the systematic use of Kinesio Taping during labor. Since self-control may affect birthing experience satisfaction, discovering
new alternatives for pain control may allow for a better experience.
Conclusion– As for strengths, the methodology proposed by this protocol reduces the likelihood of biases and therefore makes the results obtained more credible. As this is the first research study evaluating the KT bandage during labor, it can scientifically contribute to further studies.
Keywords– Bandage, KinesioTaping, labor, pain relief, study protocol. Kinesio tape, tape with wisdom, kinesio live different science
