Abstract :
Background: Kinesiotaping is a therapeutic technique, used widely in sports and neuro rehabilitation to reduce swelling and pain. It is also used to facilitate or inhibit the muscles to enhance function. However its role in the reduction of post-operative pain and facilitating pulmonary function is yet to be studied.
Aim: To study whether the application of Kinesiotape reduces pain and improves pulmonary function post operatively.
Objectives: To study the changes in pulmonary function and pain after application of Kinesiotape in post open heart surgery patients.
Methods: All patients undergoing open heart surgery at a tertiary health care centre during 6 month duration were screened. Sixty patients were included as per inclusion criteria and randomly divided using lottery method into experimental and control groups. Kinesiotape was applied to the patients in experimental group to facilitate the diaphragm on Day 1 post operatively and removed on post-operative Day 7. The pulmonary functions and subjective measure of pain were recorded postoperatively Day1 and 7.
Results: Comparing pre and post intervention results, there was statistically significant improvement in FEV1, FVC, PEFR, PIFR and pain score within both group. Inter group comparisons showed significant improvement only in PEFR. There was no statistically significant difference in PIFR, FEV1, FVC or pain scores between the experimental and control group.
Conclusion: Kinesiotaping does not offer any additional advantage over conventional chest physiotherapy in improving pulmonary function parameters or pain.
Keyword :
Physical function, Psychological function, Pain, Fatigue, Functional capacity.