Taradaj, J., Halski, T., Rosinczuk, J., Dymarek, R., Laurowski, A., & Smykla, A. (2015). The influence of kinesiology taping on the volume of lymphoedema and manual dexterity of the upper limb in women after breast cancer treatment. European Journal of Cancer Care. Advance online publication.  

To evaluate the effects of Kinesiology^® taping (KT) on upper extremity lymphedema and manual dexterity

Patients were randomized to one of three groups, (1) KT, pneumatic compression, and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), (2) quasi-KT, pneumatic compression, and MLD, or (3) standard pneumatic compression, MLD, and multilayered bandaging. The groups received treatment once per day, three times per week, for four weeks. The same provider administered all sessions of MLD. KT was worn for four days.

• N = 82
• AVERAGE AGE = 61.9 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Unilateral lymphedema of upper limb for at least one year after radical mastectomy surgery and stage 2 or 3 edema
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Exclusion criteria included patients who received chemotherapy or radiotherapy and hormone therapy within the past six months, hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, scleroderma, psoriasis, collagenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, parasitosis, advanced heart failure, swelling from renal or hepatic disorders, dermatitis, steroid or diuretic use, active venous thrombosis, allergic reactions to compression garments, and primary lymphedema or other cancers.

• SITE: Single site    
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
• LOCATION: Rehabilitation Center ProVita in Zory

• PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship

Randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded study

• Perometer 400 T
• Goniometric device from Technomex
• Hercules dynamometer
• Nonparametric matched pair Wilcoxon test
• Spearman correlation analysis

A statistically significant decrease in limb volume occurred in comparison to initial size in all comparison groups (p < 0.001). However, a significant advantage was seen in group 3 treated with standard pneumatic compression, MLD, and multilayered bandaging. Shoulder range of motion was initially similar and statistically significance in all groups.

More research on when KT may be effective is needed. KT was not shown to be an effective intervention to reduce limb volume in patients with breast cancer.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Other limitations/explanation: Limited follow-up; quality of life evaluation would be helpful

KT is effective in increasing joint mobility, but it should not be used as a replacement for standard multilayered bandaging in the treatment of lymphedema. This study's participants had more extensive surgery than standard of care in the United States. Additional research to identify application with less swelling is needed.