Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on Anastomotic Regions in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Gülbin Ergin, Ertan Şahinoğlu, Didem Karadibak, and Tuğba Yavuzşen, Lymphatic Research Biology, 2019.

Click to read the abstract

Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on Anastomotic Regions in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Gülbin Ergin, Ertan Şahinoğlu, Didem Karadibak, and Tuğba Yavuzşen, Lymphatic Research Biology, 2019.

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of using Kinesio Taping (KT) on anastomotic regions along with complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Methods and Results: Patients with unilateral BCRL were divided into two groups in this randomized controlled study: Group 1 (CDP, n=14) and Group 2 (CDP+ KT, n=18). Assessment of limb size was quantified by using circumferential limb measurements and then calculated for each segment by using the frustum formula. CDP included manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandages, exercises, and skin care. KT was applied to lymphatic anastomosis. All patients received treatment for 1 hour per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The outcome measure was difference in the reduction of limb volumes between the groups. There was a significant difference in both groups before and after treatment (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding changes in limb volume (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The results suggest that applying KT to lymphatic anastomotic regions is not effective in reducing limb volume in the management of BCRL.

Main findings

  • Small sample size. Group 1 (CDP, n=14) and Group 2 (CDP+ KT, n=18).
  • Circumference limb measurements were taken with patients in a supine position and the arm abducted at 30 degrees. The circumference was measured every 5cm, beginning at the ulnar styloid and continuing 35cm proximally for both limbs.
    • Group 1 received CDP, which include MLD, short-stretch bandages, lymph-reducing exercises, and skincare. MLD was applied to the anterior trunk, posterior trunk, and the base of the neck, progressing to the affected limb. Short-stretch bandages were applied in multiple layers after MLD.
    • Group 2, CDP was combined with KT lymphatic correction technique. The CDP program was the same as that of Group 1. KT lymphatic correction technique was applied to anterior and posterior axillo-axillary anastomosis, and axillo-inguinal anastomosis. The tape was started on the unaffected side and strips of tape were applied so as to reach the affected side regarding anterior and posterior axillo-axillary anastomosis. For axillo-inguinal anastomosis, the tape was started in the inguinal region of the affected side and strips of tape were applied so that they reached the axillary region.
  • The difference between the groups was not significant. Results do not support our hypothesis, and we concluded that using KT on lymphatic anastomotic regions was not effective in decreasing the limb volume of patients with
  • The conclusion was there is no positive effect of KT applied to anastomotic regions with bandages on reducing limb volume in patients with BCRL.
  • The main factor causing a decrease in limb size may be applying tape to the hand and arm instead of only the anastomosis. However, this proposition should be investigated in a large population in future studies because there is still no consensus in the literature on whether or not taping is an effective method for patients with BCRL.