Abdominal Kinesio-taping versus usual care for malignant bowel obstruction with ascites
Treatment of Kinesio-taping Versus Usual Care for Patients of Malignant Bowel Obstruction and Ascites With Persistent Severe Symptoms After Surgery, Medication and Nasogastric Tube: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This will test whether abdominal Kinesio-taping can relieve pain, bloating, nausea and other symptoms in adults with cancer who have malignant bowel obstruction and ascites that haven't improved with standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Taiwan University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei, Taiwan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07023042 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized study enrolls adults with intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal cancers who have malignant bowel obstruction and ascites and persistent severe symptoms despite surgery, medications, or nasogastric decompression. Participants are randomly assigned to receive abdominal Kinesio-taping plus standard care or standard care alone, and symptom severity and safety outcomes are tracked over the treatment period. The intervention uses elastic adhesive tape applied to the abdomen with the goal of reducing pain, improving lymphatic drainage, and modulating mechanoreceptor input. The trial is conducted at National Taiwan University Hospital and focuses on feasibility, tolerability, and changes in patient-reported symptom burden.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) with histologically confirmed intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal malignancy, malignant bowel obstruction with ascites below the ligament of Treitz, and persistent severe symptoms after standard treatments who can speak Mandarin or Taiwanese and provide informed consent are eligible.
Not a fit: Patients with significant abdominal wounds, known allergy to Kinesio tape, pregnancy, inability to consent, or those whose obstruction responds to standard care are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could provide a low-risk, non-drug option to reduce abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and overall symptom burden for patients with malignant bowel obstruction and ascites.
How similar studies have performed: Kinesio-taping has shown benefits in lymphedema and musculoskeletal pain in other populations, but its use for malignant bowel obstruction with ascites is novel and supported mainly by case reports rather than robust trials.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older. * Histologically confirmed intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal malignancy. * Diagnosis of malignant bowel obstruction with ascites located below the ligament of Treitz. * Persistent severe symptoms (such as pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting) after surgery, medication, or nasogastric tube treatment. * Able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese. * Capable of providing informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of significant abdominal wounds that preclude application of Kinesio tape. * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Kinesio tape. * Pregnancy. * Lack of decision-making capacity.
Where this trial is running
Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Hospital — Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hsien-Liang Huang, Ms
- Email: tennishuang@gmail.com
- Phone: +886 22312347576
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.