Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Interval Exercise in Patients Diagnosed With Venous Insufficiency: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Interval Exercise in Patients Diagnosed With Venous Insufficiency: A Randomised Controlled Trial
This study aims to compare the effects of kinesiology taping and interval exercise on reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and vital parameters in individuals with venous insufficiency. The study will be conducted at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, and will involve individuals aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with venous insufficiency. Participants will be selected according to inclusion criteria and randomised into three groups. These groups will consist of a group receiving kinesiology taping and lifestyle recommendations, a group receiving kinesiology taping combined with interval exercise and lifestyle recommendations, and a control group receiving only lifestyle recommendations. Participants will be followed up for eight weeks, with assessments conducted twice: before and after treatment.
In kinesiology taping groups, taping will be applied twice a week for eight weeks, with a total of sixteen sessions. During application, the lymphatic correction technique will be used to increase venous circulation. Taping will begin over the popliteal vein and be applied along the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis posterior muscles with a tension of fifteen to twenty per cent. Participants will inform the physiotherapist if they experience any discomfort or skin sensitivity related to the bandaging, and skin reactions and tolerance levels will be monitored during weekly check-ups. In the group undergoing interval exercise, participants will participate in a mild to moderate exercise programme for thirty to forty minutes, three days a week for eight weeks. The exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist and will be of an intensity equivalent to levels three to five on the Borg scale. The programme will include a five-minute warm-up phase, a twenty-minute main exercise section, and a five-minute cool-down period. The main section will consist of three phases, with low-intensity, moderate-intensity, and recovery exercises applied alternately. In the low-intensity section, light-paced walking and step movements will be performed; in the moderate-intensity section, fast-paced walking, ankle pumping movements, squats or calf raises will be performed; in the recovery section, light walking or wrist movements will be preferred. The main exercise will be completed after the cycle is repeated four times, followed by light stretching movements and diaphragmatic breathing exercises during the cool-down phase. Exercise compliance will be monitored on a weekly basis.
Standard lifestyle recommendations will be provided to all groups participating in the study. As lifestyle changes in venous insufficiency have both therapeutic and symptom-reducing effects, participants will be given detailed information on this subject. Lifestyle recommendations include increasing physical activity habits such as walking briskly for at least thirty minutes daily and using stairs. As part of leg elevation recommendations, it will be advised to keep the legs above heart level for fifteen to twenty minutes, two or three times a day. Individuals whose jobs require them to stand still for long periods will be advised to take a short walk every thirty minutes. Nutritional recommendations will emphasise reducing salt intake, drinking at least two litres of water daily, and eating fibre-rich foods. Smoking participants will be counselled to quit and asked to avoid wearing tight trousers and high-heeled shoes. As part of skin care, participants will be instructed to use moisturiser once a day to prevent dryness and cracking in the lower extremities. Lifestyle recommendations will be presented to participants via a brochure, and participants in the control group will also follow the same recommendations.
The conditions of the study and safety measures have been determined with great care. All procedures will be performed by experienced physiotherapists, taking into account the participants' medical history and contraindications. Assessments will be conducted twice: at the beginning and at the end of the eight-week period. Measurements will include ankle circumference, pain intensity at rest, during sleep and during exercise, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, oxygen saturation, Borg scale assessment, physical activity level measurement, functional capacity assessment, central sensitisation level and quality of life in venous insufficiency. The six-minute walk test will be used to assess functional capacity, the visual analogue scale will be applied for pain, this parameter will be examined using the central sensitisation inventory, and quality of life will be assessed using scales specific to venous insufficiency. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire will be used for physical activity level.
Inclusion criteria for the study include being aged between 18 and 65, having a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, being in stages 0 to 2 of the CEAP classification, having no health problems that would prevent participation in physical activity, being able to read and understand Turkish, and having no allergy to kinesiology taping. Exclusion criteria from the study were defined as having a diagnosis of acute venous thrombosis, a history of serious cardiovascular disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, the presence of an active infection, and unwillingness to continue participating in the study.
The data collection process will be conducted through face-to-face interviews and observation methods. Participants' demographic and clinical information will be obtained from patient files, and measurements will be taken using specified scales and tests. All data will be recorded by researchers and protected in accordance with confidentiality principles. Participants' identity information will not be included in the records; each participant will be assigned a unique code number. Data will be stored in an encrypted digital environment accessible only to the researcher and will not be shared with third parties. Identity information will be completely anonymised in the study reports. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before the study begins. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
The three distinct groups established within this research will enable the assessment of both treatment efficacy and its impact on quality of life. Kinesiology taping aims to reduce oedema and symptoms by enhancing lymphatic flow and venous return. Interval exercises are employed to strengthen circulation, activate the muscle pump, and increase functional capacity. Lifestyle recommendations will support symptom relief through small changes in individuals' daily lives, while forming a standard basis across all groups. The data obtained from the study will enable a scientific comparison of the effectiveness of different approaches in the treatment of venous insufficiency, with a particular focus on evaluating the contribution of combined exercise and taping applications.
Ultimately, this research aims to provide important findings that will guide clinical practice by enabling the comparison of different treatment approaches in individuals with venous insufficiency. Examining the effects of kinesiology taping and interval exercise on quality of life, functional capacity, symptom severity, and vital parameters will both increase patient compliance with treatment and provide physiotherapists with a scientific basis for their practice.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: