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

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Kinesio Taping and compression stockings on pain, edema, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). Design: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. Setting: The study was conducted in a physiotherapy and rehabilitation unit of a university hospital. Subjects: A total of 62 patients with early-stage CVD were allocated to either an experimental group or a control group. Interventions: Experimental group (n = 29) received Kinesio Taping intervention once a week for four weeks, while control group (n = 29) received compression stockings for four weeks. All patients additionally undertook an exercise training programme including calf muscle pump exercises, flexibility exercises and diaphragmatic breathing. Main measures: Visual analogue scale, lower limb circumference measurements, 6-minute walk test and Short Form 36 questionnaire were applied before and after four weeks of treatment. Results: Control group showed statistically significant improvements in pain (P < 0.001), ankle circumferences (right, P = 0.002; left, P = 0.037), calf circumferences (right, P = 0.020; left, P = 0.022), knee circumference (left, P = 0.039) and thigh circumferences (right, P = 0.029; left, P = 0.002) compared with experimental group. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to functional capacity and quality of life (P > 0.05). Both groups significantly improved 6-minute walk distance (P < 0.001) and Short Form 36 physical component summary (experimental group, P = 0.002; control group, P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Kinesio Taping and compression stockings revealed similar improvements of functional capacity and quality of life in patients with CVD. The symptoms of pain and edema caused by CVD can be decreased more efficiently with compression stockings than Kinesio Taping intervention.