CompletedNot Applicable

Kinesio-Taping vs. Usual Care for Malignant Bowel Obstruction With Ascites

Taiwan38 participantsStarted 2025-06-17

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether abdominal Kinesio-taping is a feasible and effective way to relieve symptoms in patients with malignant bowel obstruction and ascites who still have severe symptoms after surgery, medication, or nasogastric tube treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can abdominal Kinesio-taping reduce the severity of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea, in these patients? * Is abdominal Kinesio-taping a safe and practical treatment option for this patient group? Participants in this study are adults with cancer who have been diagnosed with malignant bowel obstruction and ascites, and whose symptoms have not improved after standard medical treatments. People who are allergic to tape, have abdominal wounds, are pregnant, or are unable to provide consent will not be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: * The Kinesio-taping group will receive standard care for malignant bowel obstruction plus abdominal Kinesio-taping, applied by trained professionals using a standardized procedure. * The control group will receive standard care only. The main outcomes measured will be changes in symptom severity using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) modified for ascites, as well as abdominal girth and pain medication use. Symptoms and side effects will be closely monitored to ensure safety. The information from this study may help determine whether Kinesio-taping can be an additional, safe, and effective option for managing symptoms in patients with advanced cancer who have malignant bowel obstruction and ascites.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

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.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in symptom severity score using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Ascites Modification (ESAS:AM)

Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07023042

SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-23

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Malignant Bowel Obstruction trials