Comparative Study Between the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Pressure Garment on Secondary Upper Extremity Lymphedema and Quality of Life Following Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sayed A. Tantawy, PhD1,2 , Walid K. Abdelbasset, PhD3,4, Gopal Nambi, PhD3, and Dalia M. Kamel, PhD1,5

Click to read the abstract

Comparative Study Between the  Effects of Kinesio Taping and  Pressure Garment on Secondary  Upper Extremity Lymphedema and  Quality of Life Following Mastectomy:  A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sayed A. Tantawy, PhD1,2 , Walid K. Abdelbasset, PhD3,4,  Gopal Nambi, PhD3, and Dalia M. Kamel, PhD1,5

Background: Breast cancer stands out among the most widely recognized forms of cancer among women. It has been observed that upper extremity lymphedema is one of the most risky and prevalent complication following breast cancer surgery that prompts functional impairment, psychological, and social problems.

Purpose: To compare the effects of Kinesio taping and the application of the pressure garment on secondary lymphedema of the upper extremity.

Methods: 66 women were randomly allocated to the Kinesio taping (KT) group (n=33) and pressure garment (PG) group (n=33). The KT group received Kinesio taping application (2 times per week for 3 weeks), while the PG group received pressure garment (20- 60 mmHg) for at least 15-18 hours per day for 3 weeks. The outcome measures were limb circumference, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index questionnaire (SPADI), hand grip strength, and quality of life at the baseline and end of intervention.

Results: The sum of limb circumferences, SPADI, hand grip strength, and quality of life significantly improved after treatment in the KT group (P<0.05). While the PG group showed  no significant improvement in SPADI, hand grip strength, physical, role, pain, and fatigue score p>0.05, while the sum of limb circumferences significantly decreased (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed between the KT and PG groups at the end of the intervention (P<0.05).

Conclusion: KT had significant changes in limb circumference, SPADI, hand grip strength and overall quality of life than PG in the treatment of subjects diagnosed with lymphedema after mastectomy.

Main findings

  • For all patients, we recorded the changes in the limb circumference, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index questionnaire (SPADI), handgrip strength, and quality of life pre and post 3 weeks of intervention.
  • The KT group received Kinesio taping application twice per week, while the pressure garment (PG) group received pressure garment (20-60 mm Hg) for at least 15 to 18 hours per day for 3 weeks. Both groups received a home exercise program in the form of a range of motion exercises involving shoulder flexion and extension, abduction, elevation up to 180°, external rotation/horizontal abduction, elbow flexion and extension, wall walking, and cane stretching.
  • The main findings of this study showed that all measures, including the sum of limb circumference, SPADI, handgrip strength, and all domains of quality of life, improved significantly in the KT group at the end of the intervention (with P < .05), as demonstrated in. While the PG group showed no significant improvement in some measures such as clinical characteristics (handgrip strength), functional scores (physical and role scores), and symptom scores (pain and fatigue scores), with P > .05. The sum of limb circumferences and overall quality of life decreased significantly in the PG group as presented in.
  • The limitations of this study included small sample size and lack of regular follow-up period; also the study randomization was not standardized. Another limitation may be the pressure difference between the manufacturer prescription and actual delivery of PGs. Another limitation is the initiation of KT and PG treatment after the first phase of lymphedema, which may bias the study.
  • There is an absence of objective measurement of limb size in the outcome. Also, the intention-to-treat statistical analysis was not performed.