Comparing different treatments to improve recovery after lower third molar surgery

ISRCTN	ISRCTN12777840
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12777840
Sponsor	Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi
Funder	Investigator initiated and funded

Submission date: 18/06/2026
Registration date: 19/06/2026
Last edited: 19/06/2026

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Oral Health

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Cevahir Cengi̇z
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator

Demirkapı mahallesi Bağcılar
Istanbul
34000
Türkiye

ORCID ID	0000-0001-9839-0470
Phone	+905425512039
Email	cevahircengiz@hotmail.com

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Allocation	Randomized controlled trial
Masking	Blinded (masking used)
Control	Placebo
Assignment	Parallel
Purpose	Treatment
Scientific title	Evaluation of the effects of kinesio taping, placebo taping and cryotherapy on postoperative complications and social appearance anxiety after mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized controlled study
Study objectives	The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping, placebo taping, cryotherapy, and standard postoperative care in reducing postoperative complications after impacted mandibular third molar surgery. The primary outcomes were pain intensity, analgesic consumption, facial swelling, and mouth opening. Secondary outcomes included social appearance anxiety and patient satisfaction. The study also aimed to determine whether kinesio taping provides additional benefits beyond placebo effects and conventional cryotherapy.
Ethics approval(s)	Approved 11/10/2023, University of Health Sciences Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Emrah Mahallesi, Etlik, Keciören, Ankara, 06018, Türkiye; +90 312 567 15 00; gulhaneetikkurul@gmail.com), ref: 2023/213
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Postoperative complications after impacted mandibular third molar surgery.
Intervention	Participants are randomly assigned to one of four parallel groups using computer-generated randomization. All participants undergo surgical extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar and receive standard postoperative care, including antibiotics, analgesics, and antiseptic mouthwash. Group 1 receives kinesio taping immediately after surgery. Kinesio tape is applied from the supraclavicular region towards the surgical site and remains in place for 5 days. Group 2 receives placebo taping immediately after surgery. A non-elastic fixation tape is applied using the same pattern as the kinesio tape and remains in place for 5 days. Group 3 receives cryotherapy. Participants are instructed to apply ice packs to the surgical area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 postoperative hours while awake. Group 4 serves as the control group and receives standard postoperative care only, without additional physical therapy intervention. Pain, analgesic consumption, swelling, mouth opening, and social appearance anxiety are assessed preoperatively and on postoperative days 2, 4, and 7. Patient satisfaction is assessed on postoperative day 7.
Intervention type	Procedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measure(s)	Postoperative pain measured using a Numerical Rating Scale (0–10) at postoperative days 2, 4 and 7 Analgesic usage measured using patient-reported analgesic intake recorded on the home evaluation form at postoperative days 2, 4 and 7 Facial swelling measured using five linear facial measurements (Tragus–Commissure, Tragus–Pogonion, Tragus–Lateral Canthus, Lateral Canthus–Angulus, and Angulus–Nasion) at baseline and postoperative days 2, 4 and 7 Mouth opening measured using the interincisal distance measurement using a ruler at Baseline and postoperative days 2, 4 and 7
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	Social appearance anxiety measured using the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) at baseline and postoperative days 2, 4 and 7 Patient satisfaction measured using a Numerical Rating Scale (0–10) at postoperative day 7
Completion date	07/04/2024

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Upper age limit	35 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	128
Total final enrolment	128
Key inclusion criteria	1. Adults aged 18–35 years 2. Presence of an impacted mandibular third molar classified as Pell and Gregory Class II, Position B 3. Scheduled for surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar 4. Medically healthy individuals (ASA I) 5. Willingness to participate in the study and provision of written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria	1. Smokers 2. Impacted mandibular third molars not classified as Pell and Gregory Class II, Position B 3. History of cold intolerance 4. Raynaud’s disease 5. History of cold-induced urticaria 6. Presence of cold-related disorders such as cryoglobulinemia 7. Regular use of analgesics or anti-inflammatory medications 8. Age below 18 years or above 35 years 9. Cases in which bone removal (osteotomy) was not required during surgery 10. Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent
Date of first enrolment	01/11/2023
Date of final enrolment	31/03/2024

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Türkiye

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No

Editorial Notes

19/06/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the University of Health Sciences Clinical Research Ethics Committee, Turkey.