Kinesiology Taping After Thoracotomy

Effective pain control after thoracotomy increases the patient's respiratory functions and related quality of life, reduces the length of hospital stay and the amount of analgesia use. Kinesiology taping has been used in sports injuries for many years and has been used in recent years to reduce pain after major surgery. This study was conducted to examine the effect of kinesiology taping on pain, respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength in patients who underwent thoracotomy.In this prospective randomized controlled experimental study, individuals between the ages of 20-75 who underwent thoracotomy with posterolateral thoracotomy and who agreed to participate in the study were included. Unlike the control group, kinesiology taping was applied to the study group for 7 days after surgery. Pain, respiratory functions, respiratory muscle strength, amount of analgesic drug use, and quality of life were evaluated preoperatively, postoperative day 0, before tape application, postoperative 1st day, postoperative 2nd day, postoperative 7th day and postoperative 1st month.

Inclusion Criteria:Who underwent thoracotomy with a posterolateral thoracotomy incisionWho agreed to participate in the study, were aged 20-75 yearsWho had no known cerebrovascular diseaseWho had no morbid obesity and heart disease that would interfere with the studyWho had no cognitive and cognitive impairments that would interfere with communicationExclusion Criteria:Who had chest trauma, thoracotomy or tube thoracostomyWho had not complying with the pulmonary function testWho are allergic to the tape