Research Objective and Participants' Role:

We invite you to participate in a scientific study aimed at reducing the load on your shoulder region during dental clinical practice. The main goal of this study is to scientifically examine the immediate (acute) effects of kinesiology taping applied to the shoulder region on your pain level, shoulder function, general quality of life, and job satisfaction. You have been included in this research because you are a final-year student and actively work in a clinical setting.

How Will the Application Process Proceed?

If you agree to participate, the process will consist of the following steps:

Evaluation: First, we will administer a short form regarding your age, height, weight, and clinical work pace, along with scientific questionnaires assessing your pain intensity, shoulder functionality, quality of life, and job satisfaction.

Taping: To support the deltoid and supraspinatus muscles in your shoulder region, kinesiology taping will be applied under the supervision of a physiotherapist every other day, for a total of three sessions. These tapes are skin-friendly, elastic, and designed not to restrict your movement.

Final Test: One day after the completion of the third session, you will be asked to fill out the same questionnaires again to measure the changes brought about by the taping.

Your Rights and Privacy

Voluntary Participation: Participation in this study is entirely voluntary. Even if you sign the form, you may withdraw from the study at any time without providing any reason and without facing any penalties that would affect your academic progress.

Risks and Costs: Kinesiology taping is generally a safe method, and there will be no financial cost to you for participating. No payment will be made for your participation. In the rare case of skin sensitivity during the application, please inform the researcher.

Confidentiality: Your identity will be kept completely confidential and will only be known to the researcher. The data obtained will be used in scientific publications in aggregated form, without disclosing your name.

Consent Declaration If you have read and understood this information and your questions have been answered, you may sign the form to indicate your voluntary consent to participate in the study.

Research Objective and Participant Role You are invited to participate in this research because you are a final-year student at the Faculty of Dentistry, Lefke European University, and actively engaged in clinical practice. The main objective of this study is to scientifically examine the acute (short-term) effects of kinesiological taping applied to the shoulder area during clinical practice in dental students.

To this end, you will be asked to provide the following contributions:

Complete the scientific scales and questionnaires,

Agree to undergo kinesiological taping for a total of three sessions, applied every other day,

Complete the same scales again after the application.

This research aims to contribute to the development of low-cost and practical interventions to support the professional musculoskeletal health of dental students.

Research Process and Implementation Stages

If you confirm your participation, the process will consist of the following stages:

1. Preliminary Assessment (Pre-Taping):

   First, you will complete a form containing your demographic information such as your age, height, weight, clinical study duration, exercise, and smoking habits.

   Then, four different scientific scales will be administered:

   1. Visual Analog Scale (VAS): To assess the severity of your predominant shoulder pain experienced during clinical practice.
   2. Arm-Shoulder-Hand Disorders Rapid Questionnaire (QuickDASH): To measure the functionality of your upper extremity (arm, shoulder, hand) in daily activities.
   3. World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF): To assess the physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions of your overall quality of life.
   4. Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale (Short Form): To determine your job satisfaction with your clinical practice.

2. Kinesiological Taping Application (Intervention):

   Kinesiological taping will be applied to support your shoulder muscles (especially the deltoid and supraspinatus) that have been overloaded during clinical practice.

   The application was performed by a physical therapist (Serap AKYOL).

   The tapes are skin-friendly, water-resistant, hypoallergenic, and elastic. They do not restrict your normal joint movement and do not interfere with your daily activities (bathing, sleeping, etc.).

   The application will be done every other day for a total of 3 sessions (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Each session will last approximately 15-20 minutes.

   The tapes will be removed after the third session, or they may fall off on their own.

3. Final Assessment (After Taping):

The day following the third taping session, the same four scientific scales (VAS, QuickDASH, WHOQOL-BREF, Minnesota) applied in stage 1 will be reapplied.

This will be done to measure the effects of kinesiological taping on pain, function, quality of life, and job satisfaction.

Total Participation Duration: The entire process (preliminary assessment, 3 application sessions, final assessment) will take approximately 1 week.

Your Rights and Privacy

1. Voluntariness and Right to Withdraw:

   Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary.

   Even if you have signed this form, you can withdraw from the research at any time without giving any reason.

   Your withdrawal will not affect your academic status, grades, or relationship with the university in any way.

2. Risks and Costs:

   Kinesiological taping is generally a safe, non-invasive (non-surgical) method.

   You will not incur any financial burden for your participation (it is free).

   No payment will be made for your participation.

   In the very rare cases of skin irritation, redness, or itching, please report it immediately to the researcher. In such a case, the tapes will be removed and necessary recommendations will be made.

3. Privacy and Data Use:

All information regarding your identity (name, surname, student number) will be kept completely confidential and will only be known by the researchers of this study.

The collected data will be stored in a computer environment under an encrypted and anonymous (nameless) code number.

The results obtained will be used collectively and statistically in scientific publications, thesis studies, or academic presentations; your personal identification information will absolutely not be disclosed.

Participant inclusion criteria:

• Being a fifth-year student at the Lefke European University Faculty of Dentistry.
• Being between 22 and 26 years of age.

Exclusion criteria for participants:

• History of acute trauma or major surgery.
• History of allergic reaction to kinesiology tape.
• Severe structural damage to the shoulder joint (dislocation, fracture, etc.).