Pekyavas, N.O., Tunay, V.B., Akbayrak, T., Kaya, S., & Karatas, M. (2014). Complex decongestive therapy and taping for patients with postmastectomy lymphedema: A randomized controlled study. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18, 585–590. 

To evaluate the effects of Kinesio^® taping with decongestive therapy in women with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymphedema

Patients with grade 2 or 3 lymphedema were randomly assigned to one of three groups, (1) complete decongestive therapy (CDT) and bandaging, (2) CDT, bandaging, and Kinesio taping, or (3) CDT and Kinesio taping. The study continued for 10 treatment sessions. After completion, all patients were provided with compression garments. Patients were instructed to continue exercises at home. Treatments were done by a lymphedema therapist, and patient assessments were done by a physiotherapist who was blinded to treatment allocation. Patients were assessed at baseline, after 10 days of treatment, and one month after the completion of treatment. Each group received five sessions per week for two weeks.

• N = 41  
• MEAN AGE = 49.6 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: The average time since surgery was 7.37 years.  
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: The majority of participants had modified radical mastectomies, and all but two patients had axillary dissections.

• LOCATION: Turkey

• PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship

Single, blinded, randomized, three-group design

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for intensity of lymphedema symptoms such as pain and heaviness
• Circumferential arm measurements at 5 cm intervals from wrist to axilla
• Short Form 36 (SF-36)

All groups experienced a significant reduction in arm volume during the treatment period. Those groups whose treatment included Kinesio taping had the greatest volume of reduction during the treatment period and from baseline to one month after treatment (p < 0.05). All groups experienced a reduction in associated symptoms, and there were no differences in symptoms between groups.

The addition of Kinesio taping to CDT in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema was associated with significant improvements in arm volume as measured in this study.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Baseline sample/group differences of import
• Unintended interventions or applicable interventions not described that would influence results
• Other limitations/explanation: There were significant group differences in the types of surgery that were done and the prevalence of radiation and chemotherapy treatment. There was no information on the amount or type of exercise that participants used during the study although they were encouraged to maintain usual practices.

Kinesio taping in addition to CDT with and without bandaging may improve the effectiveness of lymphedema management. Additional larger studies are warranted for the evaluation of the role of Kinesio taping in lymphedema management. Lymphedema can be a distressing symptom, and the combined therapy tested here may be beneficial for patients. Long-term impact and associated costs need to be explored, and effectiveness in patients with varying lymphedema stages needs to be evaluated.