The influence of Kinesiology Taping on the volume of lymphoedema and manual dexterity of the upper limb in women after breast cancer treatment.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of Kinesiology Taping (KT) on the size of lymphoedema and manual dexterity of the upper limb in women after breast cancer treatment. We also examined whether the application of KT can replace the traditional and standard multilayered bandaging in the treatment of upper extremity lymphoedema. Group A comprised of 22 patients who underwent KT as well as pneumatic and manual lymphatic drainage. Then, group B comprised of 23 patients who were treated with quasi-KT as well as pneumatic and manual lymphatic drainage. In contrast, group C had 25 patients subjected only to the standard procedure - pneumatic and manual lymphatic drainage and multilayered bandaging. Patient evaluation items included limb size, grip strength and range of motion. After 4-week therapy, we observed that KT is not an effective method of reducing lymphoedema II and III(0) in women after breast cancer treatment. At this moment, the taping cannot replace the traditional and standard multilayered bandaging in the treatment of upper extremity lymphoedema.

The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on quadriceps strength and knee function in professional soccer players: return to sport after ACL reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of NMES program applied in male soccer players (after ACL reconstruction) on the quadriceps muscle. The 80 participants (NMES = 40, control = 40) received an exercise program, including three sessions weekly. The individuals in NMES group additionally received neuromuscular electrical stimulation procedures on both right and left quadriceps (biphasic symmetric rectangular pulses, frequency of impulses: 2500 Hz, and train of pulses frequency: 50 Hz) three times daily (3 hours of break between treatments), 3 days a week, for one month. The tensometry, muscle circumference, and goniometry pendulum test (follow-up after 1 and 3 months) were applied. The results of this study show that NMES (in presented parameters in experiment) is useful for strengthening the quadriceps muscle in soccer athletes. There is an evidence of the benefit of the NMES in restoring quadriceps muscle mass and strength of soccer players. In our study the neuromuscular electrical stimulation appeared to be safe for biomechanics of knee joint. The pathological changes in knee function were not observed. This trial is registered with Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001168741.