Kinesiology Taping in breast cancer-related lymphedema

The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of Kinesiology Taping (KT) for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema. The endpoints are the reduction of limb volume and percentage edema size after a month therapy. Intervention: Subjects from all three groups receive a routine treatment, including skin care, 45-min pneumatic compression therapy (at 90 mmHg, 12 chambers), 1-h manual lymphatic drainage, application of a multi-layered short-stretch bandages (50-60 mmHg). The tape groups (KT and Quasi KT groups also receive standard therapy - only skin care, pneumatic compression and manual drainage - the same as in MCT group), but K or Quasi tapes are used instead of a bandages. Each groups are treated 3 times weekly (bandages or K-tapes are applied and changed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) for in the 4-week intervention period. One physical therapist (PTs) provides treatment. The program is standardized, following the same protocol for lymphatic drainage to the anterior trunk, posterior trunk and affected arm, always moving fluid from the affected side toward the unimpaired side. After lymphatic drainage and before either the short-stretch bandages or the K-tape are applied by the physical therapist. In KT group the fan tape anchor starts at the anterior aspect of the hand with no tension. The tails of the tape are applied to the anterior, medial and posterior aspects of the forearm and arm with 5 – 15% tension, and then on anterior part of chest. The tapes are left on the patient’s skin for the next three days. In Quasi KT group we use tapes without therapeutic effects (tapes were apllied without any tension) with the same methodology as in KT group (anatomical placement of tapes on upper limb was the same in both groups). In MCT group we use 4-layered compression bandaging. The first layer is applied to the skin directly with Tubula orthopedic sleeve. Then a supporting bandage Matoplast is applied to the fingers and on hand. Another layer is cotton RoltaSoft covering whole limb. The external layer consists of short – stretch Hartmann bandages. Measurements: To assess the volume of limb we use an optoelectronic Perometer 400 T, co - operating with a personal computer. This method allows to estimate the volume of the measuring error for only 0.5%. The assessment technique is based on a special ring, equipped with a system of 378 LED diodes (emitting the infrared radiation). Within the ring are also the optical sensors that receive electromagnetic stimuli. In the course of measuring the limb is located inside the ring on the diode - sensor lines. The registered light pulses on the detectors is turned into electronic signals. The ring moves during measurement to cover the entire limb. Measurements of the limb volume (both affected and healthy upper limb) are made for all three groups of patients before and after therapy