title: A randomized controlled trial of a mixed Kinesio taping-compression technique on venous symptoms, pain, peripheral venous flow, clinical severity and overall health status in postmenopausal women with chronic venous insufficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of a mixed Kinesio taping treatment in women with chronic venous insufficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty postmenopausal women with mild-moderate chronic venous insufficiency were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving standardized Kinesio taping treatment for gastrocnemius muscle enhancement and ankle functional correction, or to a placebo control group for simulated Kinesio taping. MAIN OUTCOMES VARIABLES: Venous symptoms, pain, photoplethysmographic measurements, bioelectrical impedance, temperature, severity and overall health were recorded at baseline and after four weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2 × 2 mixed model ANCOVA with repeated measurements showed statistically significant group * time interaction for heaviness (F = 22.99, p = 0.002), claudication (F = 8.57, p = 0.004), swelling (F = 22.58, p = 0.001), muscle cramps (F = 7.14, p = 0.008), venous refill time (right: F = 9.45, p = 0.023; left: F = 14.86, p = 0.001), venous pump function (right: F = 35.55, p = 0.004; left: F = 17.39 p = 0.001), extracellular water (right: F = 35.55, p = 0.004; left: F = 23.84, p = 0.001), severity (F = 18.47, p = 0.001), physical function (F = 9.15, p = 0.003) and body pain (F = 3.36, p = 0.043). Both groups reported significant reduction in pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mixed Kinesio taping-compression therapy improves symptoms, peripheral venous flow and severity and slightly increases overall health status in females with mild chronic venous insufficiency. Kinesio taping may have a placebo effect on pain.
authors: 1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Granada (UGR), Spain.
authors: M Encarnación
authors: ME
authors: Aguilar-Ferrándiz
authors: Adelaida María
authors: AM
authors: Castro-Sánchez
authors: Guillermo A
authors: GA
authors: Matarán-Peñarrocha
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Guisado-Barrilao
authors: M Carmen
authors: MC
authors: García-Ríos
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Moreno-Lorenzo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D055052:Athletic Tape; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D058128:Compression Bandages; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D017698:Postmenopause; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Kinesio taping; health status; oedema; pain; venous insufficiency in the leg