Effect of kinesiology taping on limb oedema in patients with severe hyper-dependency using shear-wave elastography: a randomized clinical trial
In brief
Kinesiology taping cuts swollen limb circumference by over 2 cm
In a randomized trial of 50 patients with severe limb edema, applying kinesiology tape at 25% tension lowered the skin's elastic stiffness and shrank limb girth by an average of 2.2 cm after nine days, with effects persisting to day 16. The tape appears to be a safe adjunct, but larger studies are needed to confirm its clinical impact.
- Journal
- Journal of rehabilitation medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 13 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Qiumei Li, Shaofeng Zhao, Liping Lin, Chuyao Jian, Mengying Fang, Xiaodong Tang
- PMID
- 42592645
- DOI
- 10.2340/jrm.v58.44783
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Medical Physics and Imaging (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Ranked by evidence level and journal quartile
Abstract
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.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.