The influence of Kinesiology Taping on the volume of lymphoedema and manual dexterity of the upper limb in women after breast cancer treatment

Abstract

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of Kinesiology Taping (KT) on the size of lymphoedema and manual dexterity of the upper limb in women after breast cancer treatment. We also examined whether the application of KT can replace the traditional and standard multilayered bandaging in the treatment of upper extremity lymphoedema. Group A comprised of 22 patients who underwent KT as well as pneumatic and manual lymphatic drainage. Then, group B comprised of 23 patients who were treated with quasi-KT as well as pneumatic and manual lymphatic drainage. In contrast, group C had 25 patients subjected only to the standard procedure - pneumatic and manual lymphatic drainage and multilayered bandaging. Patient evaluation items included limb size, grip strength and range of motion. After 4-week therapy, we observed that KT is not an effective method of reducing lymphoedema II and III(0) in women after breast cancer treatment. At this moment, the taping cannot replace the traditional and standard multilayered bandaging in the treatment of upper extremity lymphoedema.

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

“…Furthermore, Taradaj et al . () found a statistically significant difference between the interventions.…”

“…Taradaj et al . () found a statistically significant decrease in limb volume in all groups (KT 778.7 ± 739.8 mL, bandaging 1200 ± 580.8 mL) but also reported that the greatest oedema reduction was in the bandaging group. Furthermore, Taradaj et al .…”

“…; Taradaj et al . ; C. Daubert, Personal Communication, 27th July 2015). Conejo Tirado and Suarez Arcos () did not report whether groups were homogeneous.…”

“…Taradaj et al . () reported that 6/29 (21%) patients dropped out because of skin inflammation in the area of KT application. In the study reported by Conejo Tirado and Suarez Arcos () 1/10 (10%) patients in the KT group dropped out because of ‘dermal problems’.…”

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

“…35 37-40 Two studies on the other hand found that kinesiology taping was not superior to the multilayered bandaging when combined with manual lymphatic drainage and pneumatic compression for reducing breast cancerrelated stage 2 or 3 lymphoedema. 41 42 Nevertheless, kinesiology taping was associated with improvements in limb volume reduction and upper limb ROM, 42 which could be of clinical relevance in patients that are ill-suited to the multilayered bandaging. Overall, it seems kinesiology taping may not be superior to existing therapies for lymphoedema management but may be useful in select patients with early stage I and II lymphoedema.…”