A meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of kinesiology taping in the management of cancer-related lymphoedema

Abstract

Patients with cancer-related lymphoedema (CRL) commonly refuse treatment with bandaging or hosiery because of hot and humid weather conditions. This review aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of kinesiotaping (KT) in the management of CRL compared to compression bandaging or hosiery. A systematic search of the literature was conducted until July 2015. The primary outcomes were reduction in body part volume or circumference and adverse effects of the interventions. The secondary outcomes were subjective experience of the treatment, severity of lymphoedema-related symptoms and patients' quality of life (QoL). Six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this review. Five were included in the meta-analysis of the primary outcome limb volume (n = 203, KTn = 91, compression n = 112). It revealed no significant difference between the interventions [WMD -205.33 mL CI (-454.69 to 44.04) P = 0.11]. An increased risk of skin complications with KT was reported in five studies affecting between 10% and 21% of patients. Where lymphoedema-related symptoms were reported KT was found to be superior to compression. Paradoxically, patients receiving bandaging reported a higher QoL. KT was not found to be more comfortable than bandaging. KT should only be used with great caution where bandaging cannot be used.

Could kinesiology taping help mitigate pain, breathlessness and abdominal-related symptoms in cancer?

“…14 17-19 A systematic review with meta-analysis on cancer-related lymphoedema found no significant difference between kinesiology taping and compression therapies for reducing lymph volume. 20 Kinesiology taping was superior to compression for improving lymphoedemarelated symptoms; however, bandaging was associated with higher quality of life. It was also reported that kinesiology taping was associated with skin-related complications in up to 21% of patients.…”

Efeito do uso do taping na redução do volume do linfedema secundário ao câncer de mama: revisão da literatura

“…There is just one meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of using taping in patients with lymphedema secondary to malignant neoplasm, which showed that taping appears to be superior to CP in terms of symptoms, but that patients who were treated with CP had better quality of life. 16 There are just five randomized clinical trials on the subject, with significant differences in relation to the method of application of the taping technique. The studies do exhibit consensus that the tape should be applied to the limb with edema.…”

“…Neither skin damage or hyperthermia are common, but redness can occur frequently. 16 Taping enables the lymphatic vessels to open, because the skin is lifted, facilitating lymph flow through improved microcirculation, in addition to guiding the lymph to the desired destination. Individual patient differences and daily activities should be taken into account.…”

Comparison of real-time ultrasound imaging for manual lymphatic drainage on breast cancer-related lymphedema in individuals with breast cancer: a preliminary study

“…Normal lymphatic drainage plays a key role in the elimination and transfer of waste matter from the body (bilirubin, pigments), and ultimately prevents swelling [2]. Individuals with BCRL have a malfunctioning lymphatic system, which delays lymphatic drainage, causing an abnormal increase of tissue protein and resulting in chronic inflammation, fibrosis, pain, limited range of motion, or paraesthesia [3,4]. This leads to functional disabilities and mental problems, such as anxiety and depression [5,6].…”

“…Areas with BCRL are reported to have decreased local immune function, result in having a higher risk of infection and inflammation. Therefore, appropriate interventions need to be applied to reduce and prevent BCRL [4,7].…”