title: Effect of Kinesiology Taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized single-blind controlled pilot study.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Kinesiology Taping (KT) for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema. Sixty-five women with unilateral stage II and III lymphedema were randomly grouped into the KT group (K-tapes, n = 20), the Quasi KT group (quasi K-tapes, n = 22), or the MCT group (multilayered compression therapy group, n = 23). Skin care, 45 min pneumatic compression therapy, 1 h manual lymphatic drainage, and application of K-tape/Quasi K-tapes/multilayered short-stretch bandages were given every treatment session, 3 times per week for 1 month. Patient evaluation items included limb size and percentage edema. Comparing the changes in K-tapes with quasi K-tapes changes, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05). The edema reduction of multilayered bandages was much better than in results observed in taping groups. The KT appeared to be ineffective at secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. The single-blind, controlled pilot study results suggest that K-tape could not replace the bandage, and at this moment it must not be an alternative choice for the breast cancer-related lymphedema patient. The trial is registered with ACTRN12613001173785.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy Basics, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikolowska 72 Street, 40-065 Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smykla
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy Basics, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikolowska 72 Street, 40-065 Katowice, Poland ; Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medykow 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Provita Clinic in Zory, Boczna 6 Street, 44-240 Zory, Poland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trybulski
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Professional Medical School in Opole, Katowicka 68 Street, 40-060 Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Halski
authors.affiliation: Department of Descriptive and Topographic Anatomy, Medical University of Silesia in Zabrze, Jordana 19 Street, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kucharzewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Medicine, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikolowska 72 Street, 40-065 Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kucio
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Silesia in Bytom, Zeromskiego 7 Street, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mikusek
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Silesia in Bytom, Zeromskiego 7 Street, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klakla
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy Basics, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikolowska 72 Street, 40-065 Katowice, Poland ; Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medykow 18 Street, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taradaj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018953:Kinesiology, Applied / Q000379:methods*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome