Kinesio Taping Added to Standard Care for Women with Lipedema
Official title: Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping as an Adjunct to Conservative Treatment in Women With Stage II Lipedema: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital · NCT07919574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether adding kinesio taping to usual care helps reduce pain for women with stage II lipedema.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Küçükçekmece, Istanbul) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 31, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 15, 2027 |
| Study ends | January 15, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | November 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07919574 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18-65 with stage II bilateral lower-extremity lipedema who can walk independently and consent to the protocol.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with other types of lymphedema or lipolymphedema, recent lipedema surgery, or those with active infections or adhesive tape allergies may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized trial compares standard conservative treatment alone versus standard treatment plus bilateral kinesio taping for six weeks in women with stage II lipedema. Participants will receive education, physical activity guidance, and a home exercise program, with the taping applied twice weekly in the intervention group. Outcomes include pain (primary), and secondary measures such as functional status, quality of life, and walking performance, assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 10. The study aims to see if kinesio tape provides additional benefit beyond standard care in reducing pain and improving function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, kinesio taping could offer an additional non-pharmacologic option to reduce pain and improve function in lipedema patients when used with standard care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in related stretch/strap/tacial taping approaches has shown mixed results; this study assesses a specific kinesio taping regimen as an adjunct, which remains to be proven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
\*\*Inclusion Criteria:\*\* * Female participants aged 18-65 years. * Clinical diagnosis of stage II bilateral lower-extremity lipedema. * Ability to walk independently. * Ability and willingness to comply with the treatment and assessment schedule throughout the study. * Provision of written informed consent. \*\*Exclusion Criteria:\*\* * Presence of primary or secondary lymphedema or lipolymphedema. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Active infection, cellulitis, open wounds, or active dermatological disease in the areas where kinesio taping will be applied. * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to kinesio tape or its adhesive components. * Active deep vein thrombosis or thromboembolic disease. * Severe neurological, rheumatological, or orthopedic disorders that may significantly affect lower-extremity function or walking performance. * Severe cardiac, renal, or hepatic failure. * Lipedema-related surgery or liposuction within the previous three months. * Concurrent participation in another intensive physical therapy or manual lymphatic drainage program that may affect study outcomes.
Where it's running
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Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hatice Zehra FERHATLAR
- Email: haticezehraferhatlar@gmail.com
- Phone: 05367387869
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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This study tests whether women with lipedema have different segmental body fat and muscle distribution compared with BMI-matched women without lipedema.
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Comparison of Different Exercise Protocols for Lipedema
This study tests whether high‑intensity interval training or moderate‑intensity continuous training improves function, strength, and quality of life in adults with lipedema.
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taVNS-enriched rehab for lipedema
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Manual and self-lymphatic drainage with exercise for lipedema
This study tests whether manual lymph drainage plus supervised exercise works better than self-lymph drainage plus guided activity for reducing pain and improving function in women with lipedema over six weeks.
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Turkish version of the Duke Activity Status Index in women with lipedema
This study tests whether the Turkish Duke Activity Status Index accurately and consistently measures functional capacity in women with lipedema.
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Aquatic vs. land-based exercise for lipedema in women
This trial tests whether supervised pool workouts or equivalent land-based exercise improve walking ability and symptoms more than standard care for women with lipedema.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.