Effect of kinesiology taping on limb oedema in patients with severe hyper-dependency using shear-wave elastography: a randomized clinical trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v58.44783Keywords:
kinesiology taping, limb oedema, rehabilitation, severe hyper-dependency, shear-wave elastographyAbstract
Purpose: To determine the effects of kinesiology taping on reduced limb oedema using shear-wave elastography.
Methods: A randomized trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis. Fifty patients with limb oedema were randomly allocated to 2 groups: kinesiology taping at 25% tension applied to the oedematous tissue (25% kinesiology taping), and kinesiology taping at 0% tension applied to the oedematous tissue (0% kinesiology taping). The primary outcome was the elastic coefficient of shear-wave elastography (dermis and adipose layers), and the secondary outcome was limb circumference, which were assessed at days 0, 9, and 16.
Results: Compared with the 0% kinesiology taping at day 9, the 25% kinesiology taping significantly reduced the elastic coefficient of the dermis layer (12.57 kPa, 95% CI 4.97 to 20.16, p = 0.001) and adipose layer (5.29 kPa, 95% CI 2.20 to 8.38, p < 0.001), and the length of limb circumference (2.18 cm, 95% CI 0.79 to 3.56, p < 0.001). The benefits of the dermis layer (p = 0.002) and adipose layer (p = 0.005), and the limb circumference (p < 0.001) were maintained at day 16. These findings demonstrate the sustained biomechanical improvements of oedematous tissues induced by 25% kinesiology taping, providing objective clinical evidence supporting the application of kinesiology taping for limb oedema management.
Conclusion: Kinesiology taping at 25% tension reduces the elastic coefficient and limb circumference of limb oedema. We recommend kinesiology taping as a complementary, synergistic adjunct to limb oedema in patients with severe hyper-dependency.
Downloads
References
Webb A, Angus D, Finfer S, Gattinoni L. Oxford textbook of critical care. New York: Oxford University Press; 2020, p. 81–87. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/oxford-textbook-of-critical-care
Brown D, Edwards H, Seaton L, Buckley T. Lewis’s medical-surgical nursing: assessment and management of clinical problems. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2017, p. 64–67. https://www.amazon.com/Lewiss-Medical-Surgical-Nursing-Assessment-Management
Schrier RW. Manual of nephrology: diagnosis and therapy. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015, p. 237–242. Manual of nephrology – spiral manual [Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: 7th ed.].
Ninbanphot S, Narawong P, Theeranut A, Sawanyawisuth K, Limpawattana P. Development and validation of CAVE score in predicting presence of pressure ulcer in intensive care patients. Heliyon 2020; 6: e04612. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04612
Ochalek K, Pacyga K, Curyło M, Frydrych-Szymonik A, Szygula Z. Risk factors related to lower limb edema, compression, and physical activity during pregnancy: a retrospective study. Lymphat Res Biol 2017; 15: 166–171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2016.0038
Miller LK, Jerosch-Herold C, Shepstone L. Effectiveness of edema management techniques for subacute hand edema: a systematic review. J Hand Ther 2017; 30: 432–446. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2017.05.011
Kase K, Wallis J, Kase T. Clinical therapeutic applications of the kinesio taping method. Tokyo, Japan: Kení-kai information; 2003. p. 245–324. https://www.amazon.com/-/zh/dp/098903240X/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title
Guney-Deniz H, Kinikli GI, Aykar S, Sevinc C, Caglar O, Atilla B, et al. Manual lymphatic drainage and Kinesio taping applications reduce early-stage lower extremity edema and pain following total knee arthroplasty. Physiother Theory Pract 2023; 39: 1582–1590. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2022.2044422
Naci B, Ozyilmaz S, Aygutalp N, Demir R, Baltaci G, Yigit Z. Effects of Kinesio taping and compression stockings on pain, edema, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 2020; 34: 783–793. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215520916851
Rahlf AL, Braumann KM, Zech A. Kinesio taping improves perceptions of pain and function of patients with knee osteoarthritis:a randomized, controlled trial. J Sport Rehabil 2019; 28: 481–487. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0306
Hayati M, Yazdi Z, Abbasi M. Comparison of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and knee kinesio taping in early osteoarthritis pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2019; 23: 666–670. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.06.011
Huang YC, Chang KH, Liou TH, Cheng CW, Lin LF, Huang SW. Effects of Kinesio Taping for stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Rehabil Med 2017; 49: 208–215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2197
Donec V, Kriščiūnas A. The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping® after total knee replacement in early postoperative rehabilitation period: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2014; 50: 363–371. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24819349/
Yuksel E, Unver B, Karatosun V. Comparison of kinesio taping and cold therapy in patients with total knee arthroplasty: s randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 2022; 36: 359–368. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155211049152
Cakmak MF, Cigdem-Karacay B. The effect of kinesio taping on edema, pain, and functionality after total knee arthroplasty: a randomised sham-controlled double blinded clinical study. J Orthop Sci 2024; 29: 983–989. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2023.05.012
Gradalski T. Edema of advanced cancer: prevalence, etiology, and conservative management-a single hospice cross-sectional study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2019; 57: 311–318. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.11.005
Wageck B, Nunes GS, Bohlen NB, Santos GM, de Noronha M. Kinesio Taping does not improve the symptoms or function of older people with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised trial. J Physiother 2016; 62: 153–158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphys.2016.05.012
Balki S, Göktas HE. Short-term effects of the Kinesio Taping® on early postoperative hip muscle weakness in male patients with hamstring autograft or allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Sport Rehabil 2019; 28: 311–317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0219
Windisch C, Brodt S, Röhner E, Matziolis G. Effects of Kinesio taping compared to arterio-venous Impulse System™ on limb swelling and skin temperature after total knee arthroplasty. Int Orthop 2017; 41: 301–307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-016-3295-z
Aguilar-Ferrándiz ME, Moreno-Lorenzo C, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, García-Muro F, García-Ríos MC, Castro-Sánchez AM. Effect of a mixed kinesio taping-compression technique on quality of life and clinical and gait parameters in postmenopausal women with chronic venous insufficiency: double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2014; 95: 1229–1239.
Naugle KE, Hackett J, Aqeel D, Naugle KM. Effect of different Kinesio tape tensions on experimentally-induced thermal and muscle pain in healthy adults. PloS One 2021; 16: e0259433. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259433
Aguilar-Ferrándiz ME, Castro-Sánchez AM, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, García-Muro F, Serge T, Moreno-Lorenzo C. Effects of kinesio taping on venous symptoms, bioelectrical activity of the gastrocnemius muscle, range of ankle motion, and quality of life in postmenopausal women with chronic venous insufficiency: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2013; 94: 2315–2328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2013.05.016
The General Practice Branch of the Taiwan-China Medical and Health Exchange Association, the General Practice Branch of the Zhejiang Medical Association, the General Practice Branch of the Zhejiang Mathematical and Medical Sciences Society for Undifferentiated Diseases, the Expert Collaboration Group for Undifferentiated Diseases in General Practice, the Chinese Geriatrics Society, Ren Jingjing. Expert consensus on diagnosis and management of edema. Chin Gen Pract 2025; 28: 3861–3878. http://dx.chinadoi.cn/10.12114/j.issn.1007-9572.2025.0244.
Chinese Society of Critical Care Medicine. Guidelines for the construction and development of critical care medicine departments in China. Chin Med J 2025; 105: 2831–2845. http://dx.chinadoi.cn/10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20250404-00829.
Horoz L, Cigdem-Karacay B, Cakmak MF. Effect of Kinesio taping on edema and wrist functions in patients with distal radius fracture followed conservatively with a cast: a randomized controlled single-blinded study. J Hand Ther 2024; 37: 479–488. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2024.05.003
Jakobsen J, Gluud C, Wetterslev J, Winkel P. When and how should multiple imputation be used for handling missing data in randomised clinical trials: a practical guide with flowcharts. BMC Med Res Methodol 2017; 17:162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-017-0442-1
Lee K, Roberts G, Doyle L, Anderson P, Carlin J. Multiple imputation for missing data in a longitudinal cohort study: a tutorial based on a detailed case study involving imputation of missing outcome data. J Med Internet Res 2016; 19: 575–591. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2015.1126486
White I, Royston P, Wood A. Multiple imputation using chained equations: issues and guidance for practice. Stat Med 2011; 30: 377–399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.4067
Wu WT, Zhou LW, Hong ZR. Application of muscular function taping technique in clinical medicine [M]. Taiwan, China: Heji Publishing House; 2016, p. 1, 31–48, 127, 133. https://seleguide.yiigle.com/uploads/guide_html/
Chen WH, Yu B. Fundamentals and practice of soft tissue strapping technique: a practical illustrated guide to myofascial release therapy [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Science and Technology Press 2017, p. 1–6, 16–20, 48–58. https://seleguide.yiigle.com/uploads/guide_html/
Tornatore L, De Luca ML, Ciccarello M, Benedetti MG. Effects of combining manual lymphatic drainage and Kinesiotaping on pain, edema, and range of motion in patients with total knee replacement: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Rehabil Res 2020; 43: 240–246. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MRR.0000000000000417
Aguilar-Ferrándiz ME, Moreno-Lorenzo C, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, García-Muro F, García-Ríos MC, Castro-Sánchez AM. Effect of a mixed Kinesio Taping-compression technique on quality of life and clinical and gait parameters in postmenopausal women with chronic venous insufficiency: double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2014; 95(7): 1229–1239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.03.024
Motykie GD, Caprini JA, Arcelus JI, Reyna JJ, Overom E, Mokhtee D. Evaluation of therapeutic compression stockings in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Dermatol Surg 1999; 25: 116–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.08095.x
Vayssairat M, Ziani E, Houot B. Placebo controlled efficacy of class 1 elastic stockings in chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. J Mal Vasc 2000; 25: 256–262. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11060420/
Aguilar-Ferrándiz ME, Castro-Sánchez AM, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, Guisado-Barrilao R, García-Ríos MC, Moreno-Lorenzo C. A randomized controlled trial of a mixed Kinesio Taping-compression technique on venous symptoms, pain, peripheral venous flow, clinical severity and overall health status in postmenopausal women with chronic venous insufficiency. Clin Rehabil 2014; 28: 69–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215512469120
Tsai HJ, Hung HC, Yang JL, Huang CS, Tsauo JY. Could Kinesio tape replace the bandage in decongestive lymphatic therapy for breast-cancer-related lymphedema? A pilot study. Support Care Cancer 2009; 17: 1353–1360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0592-8
Pekyavaş NÖ, Tunay VB, Akbayrak T, Kaya S, Karataş M. Complex decongestive therapy and taping for patients with postmastectomy lymphedema: a randomized controlled study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2014; 18: 585–590. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2014.06.010
Tantawy SA, Abdelbasset WK, Nambi G, Kamel DM. 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. Integr Cancer Ther 2019; 18: 1534735419847276. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735419847276
Pajero Otero V, García Delgado E, Martín Cortijo C, Romay Barrero HM, de Carlos Iriarte E, Avendaño-Coy J. Kinesio Taping versus compression garments for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized, cross-over, controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 2019; 33: 1887–1897. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215519874107
Paisant A, Lemoine S, Cassinotto C, de Lédinghen V, Ronot M, Irlès-Depé M, et al. Reliability criteria of two-dimensional shear wave elastography: analysis of 4277 measurements in 788 patients. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20: 400–408.e10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2020.12.013
Ahn TH, Lee JS, Kim SY, Lee SB, Kim W, Kruglik I, et al. Application of dual-frequency ultrasound for reduction of perilesional edema and ecchymosis after rhinoseptoplasty. J Cosmet Dermatol 2024; 23: 830–838. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16040
Yi M, Zhang C, Liu XD, Wen Z, Yang M, Liu Y. Clinical value of shear wave elastography in quantitative evaluation of lower extremity lymphedema. Chin J Ultrasound Med 2023; 9: 1056–1059.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Qiumei Li, Shaofeng Zhao, Liping Lin, Chuyao Jian, Mengying Fang, Xiaodong Tang
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All digitalized JRM contents is available freely online. The Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine owns the copyright for all material published until volume 40 (2008), as from volume 41 (2009) authors retain copyright to their work and as from volume 49 (2017) the journal has been published Open Access, under CC-BY-NC licences (unless otherwise specified). The CC-BY-NC licenses allow third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for non-commercial purposes, provided proper attribution to the original work.
From 2024, articles are published under the CC-BY licence. This license permits sharing, adapting, and using the material for any purpose, including commercial use, with the condition of providing full attribution to the original publication.
