The lack of an effect from Kinesio Taping seen in the present
study differs from the result of the trial by Aguilar-Ferra´ndiz et al,8
in which a reduction in swelling in the Kinesio Taping group was
reported. In that study, Kinesio Taping was applied in postmenopausal
women with chronic swelling due to chronic venous
insufficiency and it reduced extracellular liquid from the lower
limbs.8 One explanation for this discrepancy is that the effects of
Kinesio Taping are limited to swelling related to chronic
conditions, without an active inflammatory phase affecting the
swelling. Another explanation is that Aguilar-Ferra´ndiz et al8
measured the swelling reduction via bio-impedance. In a different
study by the same research group, Kinesio Taping did not show any
positive effect in reducing swelling in lower limbs of postmenopausal
women with chronic venous insufficiency.22 For that
second study, the reduction in swelling was calculated using a
mathematical model that converted perimetry into volume. These
conflicting results reinforce the possibility that the effects of
Kinesio Taping on swelling are limited to the cellular changes of
chronic conditions and not the actual volume of the segment as a
whole. That possibility casts doubts on the clinical relevance of
measuring swelling at a cellular level only.