title: Complex decongestive therapy and taping for patients with postmastectomy lymphedema: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping(®) Application with Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) in patients with lymphedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  45 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups (CDT including Bandage, CDT including Bandage + Kinesio Tape(®), CDT including Kinesio Tape(®) without bandage). Assessments included the severity of the symptoms such as pain, discomfort, heaviness, tension, stiffness and weakness. Bilateral circumference measurements were done for evaluation of the edema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms were decreased in all three groups (p < 0.05). CDT was found effective only during treatment in arm volume (p < 0.05). Kinesio Taping(®) applied with CDT had effect of decreasing edema after 10 days of treatment period (p < 0.05) and for control period (p < 0.05). Only the application of Kinesio Taping(®) group also had significant decrease at edema (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kinesio Taping(®) Application along with CDT may have a better effect on decreasing lymphedema which can stimulate the reduction of edema for long term effects.
authors: Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Baglıca 06810, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: nihan_2002@hotmail.com.
authors: Nihan Özünlü
authors: NÖ
authors: Pekyavaş
authors: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Sıhhiye 06410, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: volgamel@yahoo.com.
authors: Volga Bayrakcı
authors: VB
authors: Tunay
authors: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Sıhhiye 06410, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: takbayrak@yahoo.com.
authors: Türkan
authors: T
authors: Akbayrak
authors: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Sıhhiye 06410, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: serapky@yahoo.com.
authors: Serap
authors: S
authors: Kaya
authors: Baskent University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Baglıca 06810, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: metink@baskent-ank.edu.tr.
authors: Metin
authors: M
authors: Karataş
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D058128:Compression Bandages; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D014421:Turkey
keywords: Breast cancer; Complex decongestive therapy; Exercise; Kinesio Taping(®) application; Lymphedema