Effectiveness of Taping on Anastomotic Regions in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema

Effectiveness of Kinesio® Taping on Anastomotic Regions in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema: A Randomized Controlled Study

One of the most common conservative treatments of lymphoedema is Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP). The bandage is one of the most important components of the treatment process. The multilayer short-stretch bandage is used to maintain volume reduction and prevent lymph backflow caused by compression. However, some patients refuse or postpone treatment or show a lower compliance with compression bandaging.Kinesio® Tex tape (KT) is a new technique for managing lymphoedema in the field of physical and alternative therapy, and it may affect decongestion of lymphatic fluid accumulated under the skin. Some studies which showed that KT was an effective for patients with BCRL, it was applied on both the affected arm and anastomosis. One of these studies also reported that a significant reduction in limb volume in patients who were applied of the tape only to the affected arm. This significant effect could also be seen by applying KT only to the anastomosis. In literature, however, there is no evidence to support this theory. So the aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of KT which was applied to anastomotic regions along with CDP in the management of BCRL.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had unilateral BCRL and women aged over 18 who were 'significant', 'marked', or 'severe' lymphoedema.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with paralysis on part of the affected arm,
• Patients who had undergone CDP more than once within six months,
• Patients who had an active infection,
• Patients who had a skin disease.