title: The influence of Kinesiology Taping on the reduction of lymphoedema among women after mastectomy - preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kinesiology Taping is a method that assists healing processes and improves the physical efficiency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the influence of Kinesiology Taping on the lymphoedema reduction among women after mastectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subject of the research included 44 women underwent single mastectomy along with the removal of lymph nodes. The examination was carried out from the 4(th) of January to the 4(th) of February, 2013. The traditional taping method was implemented among 22 women, whereas the own taping method was used among the other 22 women. The therapy took 21 days, during which the tapes were applied three times every 7 days. The measurements were made before every application and at the end of the therapy. In the study, a questionnaire was used and it included questions concerning basic demographic, epidemiological data as well as the evaluation of the therapy effectiveness. The linear measurements of the upper limbs, the measurements of the range of joints' motion in the upper limb were taken as well as grip strength was made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reduction of the volume of lymphoedema of 55% was reported in the study group, whereas the oedema reduced by 27% in the clinical control one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the reduction of lymphoedema, the greater effectiveness of the own taping method in comparison to the traditional one was reported. Kinesiology Taping exerted an influence on the improvement of the upper limb's joints movability and the grip strength.
authors: Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Poland.
authors: Teresa Bronisława
authors: TB
authors: Pop
authors: Department of Oncology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Poland.
authors: Bożenna
authors: B
authors: Karczmarek-Borowska
authors: Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Poland.
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Tymczak
authors: Voivodeship Centre of Occupational Medicine the Centre of Prevention and Healing Subsidiary Nr 2 Rehabilitation Centre, Lublin, Poland.
authors: Ireneusz
authors: I
authors: Hałas
authors: Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Banaś
keywords: Kinesiology Taping; lymphoedema; mastectomy