Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of kinesiology taping on individuals suffering from breast cancer-related lymphedema. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, spanning from their inception date to Dece...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical breast cancer 2024-08, Vol.24 (6), p.541-551.e1
Main Authors: Yang, Fu-An, Wu, Pei-Jyuan, Su, Yi-Tien, Strong, Po-Chin, Chu, Yi-Ching, Huang, Chao-Chun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BCRL
Breast cancer
Kinesiology taping
Lymphedema
Meta-analysis
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Summary:The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of kinesiology taping on individuals suffering from breast cancer-related lymphedema. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, spanning from their inception date to December 20, 2023, to identify pertinent studies. Inclusion criteria comprised studies that (1) enrolled participants diagnosed with breast cancer-related lymphedema; (2) implemented kinesiology taping as the intervention; (3) incorporated either complete decongestive therapy, exercise, or sham taping as the control treatment; and (4) included clinical measurements such as the severity of lymphedema, upper limb function assessment, quality of life, and perceived comfort. Information was extracted from 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The analyses demonstrated statistically significant improvement, indicating a preference for kinesiology taping in the outcomes of upper limb functional assessment (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [−1.22, −0.55]), quality of life (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI: [0.16, 0.84]), and perceived comfort (SMD = 0.85, 95% CI: [0.34, 1.36]). The findings suggest that kinesiology taping could be considered a viable option for individuals dealing with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Nevertheless, acknowledging certain limitations within this study, further confirmation of its benefits necessitates additional larger-scale and better-designed RCTs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of kinesiology taping on individuals with breast cancer-related lymphedema. The analyses demonstrated statistically significant improvement, indicating a preference for kinesiology taping in upper limb functional assessment, quality of life, and perceived comfort. The findings suggest that kinesiology taping could be considered an option for individuals with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
ISSN:1526-8209
1938-0666
1938-0666
DOI:10.1016/j.clbc.2024.04.013