Stefano Vercelli1, Claudio Colombo2, Francesca Tolosa3, Andrea Moriondo4, Elisabetta Bravini5, Giorgio Ferriero6, Sartorio Francesco6. 1. Unit of Occupational Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation - IRCCS, Veruno (NO), Italy. Electronic address: stefano.vercelli@fsm.it. 2. Private Practice, Verbania, Italy. 3. Private Practice, Oleggio (NO), Italy. 4. Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. 5. School in Advanced Sciences and Technology in Rehabilitation Medicine and Sport, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. 6. Unit of Occupational Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation - IRCCS, Veruno (NO), Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of kinesio taping (KT) -applied with three different strains that induced or not the formation of skin creases (called convolutions)- on color intensity of post-surgical superficial hematomas. DESIGN: Single-blind paired study. SETTING: Rehabilitation clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 13 inpatients with post-surgical superficial hematomas. INTERVENTIONS: The tape was applied for 24 consecutive hours. Three tails of KT were randomly applied with different degrees of strain: none (SN); light (SL); and full longitudinal stretch (SF). We expected to obtain correct formation of convolutions with SL, some convolutions with SN, and no convolutions with SF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The change in color intensity of hematomas, measured by means of polar coordinates CIE L*a*b* using a validated and standardized digital images system. RESULTS: Applying KT to hematomas did not significantly change the color intensity in the central area under the tape (p > 0.05). There was a significant treatment effect (p < 0.05) under the edges of the tape, independently of the formation of convolutions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The changes observed along the edges of the tape could be related to the formation of a pressure gradient between the KT and the adjacent area, but were not dependent on the formation of skin convolutions.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of kinesio taping (KT) -applied with three different strains that induced or not the formation of skin creases (called convolutions)- on color intensity of post-surgical superficial hematomas. DESIGN: Single-blind paired study. SETTING: Rehabilitation clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 13 inpatients with post-surgical superficial hematomas. INTERVENTIONS: The tape was applied for 24 consecutive hours. Three tails of KT were randomly applied with different degrees of strain: none (SN); light (SL); and full longitudinal stretch (SF). We expected to obtain correct formation of convolutions with SL, some convolutions with SN, and no convolutions with SF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The change in color intensity of hematomas, measured by means of polar coordinates CIE L*a*b* using a validated and standardized digital images system. RESULTS: Applying KT to hematomas did not significantly change the color intensity in the central area under the tape (p > 0.05). There was a significant treatment effect (p < 0.05) under the edges of the tape, independently of the formation of convolutions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The changes observed along the edges of the tape could be related to the formation of a pressure gradient between the KT and the adjacent area, but were not dependent on the formation of skin convolutions.