Kinesio taping versus compression garments for treating breast cancer–related lymphedema: a randomized, cross-over, controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Kinesio taping compared to compression garments during maintenance phase of complex decongestive therapy for breast cancer–related lymphedema. Design: Randomized, cross-over, controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient tertiary-level hospital rehabilitation setting. Subjects: Randomized sample of 30 women with breast cancer–related lymphedema. Interventions: Participants received two interventions, Kinesio taping and compression garment, both lasting four weeks, whose order was randomized by blocks. A four-week washout period was established prior to the interventions and between them. Measurements: The main outcome was the lymphedema Relative Volume Change. Secondary outcomes were range of motion of arm joints, self-perception of comfort, and lymphedema-related symptoms (pain, tightness, heaviness, and hardness). Results: The decrease in the Relative Volume Change was greater in the Kinesio taping intervention (–5.7%, SD = 2.0) compared to that observed using compression garments (–3.4%, SD = 2.9) (P < 0.001). The range of motion of five upper-limb movements increased after applying taping (between 5.8° and 16.7°) (P < 0.05), but not after compression (P > 0.05). In addition, taping was perceived as more comfortable by patients (between 2.4 and 3 points better than compression in four questions with a 5-point scale (P < 0.001)) and further reduced lymphedema-related symptoms compared to compression (between 0.96 and 1.40 points better in four questions with a 6-point scale (P < 0.05)). Conclusion: Kinesio taping was more effective than compression garments for reducing the lymphedema volume, with less severe lymphedema-related symptoms, better improvement of upper-limb mobility, and more comfort.