Effect of kinesiology taping on limb oedema in patients with severe hyper-dependency using shear-wave elastography: a randomized clinical trial.

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.