Effects of kinesiologic taping on epidermal-dermal distance, pain, edema and inflammation after experimentally induced soft tissue trauma.
OBJECTIVE
In sports medicine, the use of kinesiologic tape has recently gained popularity. Although widely used, there is no study examining the effects of kinesiologic tape on soft tissue after a contusion injury. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of kinesiologic taping on epidermal-dermal distance, edema, pain and inflammation after experimentally induced contusion injury.


METHODS
Twelve adult female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups: (1) 30 min group: n = 6, weight range: 182.0-199.4 g; and (2) 6 h group: n = 6, weight range: 186.9-200.8 g. After soft-tissue trauma, tape was applied to the right sides of each rat. In one group, tape was applied for 30 min while 6 h in the other. To assess the epidermal-dermal distance and edematous area, tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined. Tissue sections were stained with nerve growth factor (NGF) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) immunohistochemically to evaluate the effect of taping on pain and inflammation respectively.


RESULTS
Epidermal-dermal distances were found to be significantly higher than controls' in both groups (p < 0.05). Notable decreases were seen in edematous areas in both groups (p < 0.05). NGF and Bcl-2 immune reactivity were decreased in all tape applied sides.


CONCLUSIONS
After soft-tissue trauma, it was histologically shown that kinesiologic taping increases epidermal-dermal distance, and may reduce the sensation of pain, edema and inflammation. For better, faster and comfortable tissue healing with protection of soft-tissue integrity, kinesiologic taping may be a valuable treatment after contusion injury. However, these results should be supported by clinical studies.
a Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey .
Nihan
N
Kafa
a Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation , Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey .
Seyit
S
Citaker
b Department of Histology and Embryology , Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey .
Suna
S
Omeroglu
c Department of Anatomy , Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey , and.
Tuncay
T
Peker
b Department of Histology and Embryology , Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey .
Neslihan
N
Coskun
d Laboratory Animal Breeding and Experimental Research Centre , Gazi University , Ankara , Turkey.
Seyda
S
Diker
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D053832:Surgical Tape; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
Contusion injury; histology; inflammation; rat; taping