Is Kinesio taping effective for peripheral tissue perfusion in women with mild to moderate chronic venous insufficiency? A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the acute effect of Kinesio Taping(R) on peripheral tissue perfusion in women with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). MethodsThis randomized, double-blind controlled trial included 59 women with mild to moderate CVI. They were randomized to a control group (n = 23; 54.08 {+/-} 9.04 years) and Kinesio Taping(R) group (KT) (n = 36; 55.87 {+/-} 9.97 years). Near-infrared spectroscopy was positioned in the medial gastrocnemius muscle for assessment of resting tissue perfusion 48 h after the first day of evaluation and after placement of the Kinesio Taping(R) tape. The evaluation also consisted of performing movements of the plethysmography examination. To verify the comparisons of pre- and post-Kinesio Taping(R) data, the variation delta was used for analysis. Mann-Whitney U test was performed an an alpha of 5% was considered statistically significant. ResultsThere wasn st a significant difference between groups regarding the peripheral tissue perfusion evaluation variables Peripheral Oxygen Saturation Difference - DELTA_SPO2: (KT Group 3.21 (0.84-3.62); Control 2.21 (1.59-4.83), p = 0.219) and Difference in deoxygenate hemoglobin values - DELTA_HHB (units) KT Group -0.62 (-2.14-0.67); Control Group -0.07 (-2.15-2.62) p = 0.238). Despite the lack of statistical significance, the KT group had a 785.7% greater drop in HHB values than the control group. ConclusionsAcute use of Kinesio Taping(R) in women with CVI did not significantly alter tissue perfusion of calf muscles. However, it was possible to observe percentage differences in venous retention to be considered from a clinical point of view. Trial registrationBrazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC) RBR-9bhbrp.