Clinical pearl: kinesiology tape for onychocryptosis.

Onychocryptosis, or ingrown toenail, is characterized by penetration of the periungual skin by the nail plate. One conservative treatment is taping, but frequent detachment is a notable shortcoming. We describe use of kinesiology tape to overcome this limitation for effective treatment of onychocryptosis.

Physiotherapeutic rehabilitation of lymphedema: state-of-the-art.

Lymphatic diseases, especially lymphedema, represent a serious problem in the health community. We investigated strategies and methods for physiotherapeutic rehabilitation of lymphedema by carrying out a comprehensive search of the Medline and Embase databases from 1990 to 2016 to identify relevant published studies, articles, and reviews. Approaches for conservative management of lymphedema include the following: manual lymphatic drainage, lymphedema rehabilitation exercises, compression therapy, skin care, pneumatic compression, elevation of the extremities, thermal therapy, complete decongestive physiotherapy (CDT), taping, and aqua lymphatic therapy. Treatment of lymphedema with CDT, which is a combination of four methods (manual lymphatic drainage, lymphedema rehabilitation exercises, compression therapy, skin care), can achieve a 45-70% reduction in lymphedema volume. Prerequisites for successful physiotherapy are the availability of physicians, nurses and therapists who are specifically trained, educated, and experienced in each method. CDT is the most effective treatment as it reduces the symptoms of lymphedema and improves patients' functionality, mobility, and quality of life. Although other therapeutic techniques have demonstrated positive results, these surveys are limited and more studies are needed to confirm findings.

A novel taping therapy for pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of arthroscopic shoulder surgeries has increased given that the intervention is minimally invasive. However, postoperative pain is one of the most common symptoms of patients who undergo arthroscopic surgery. Although pharmacological treatments and brachial plexus blocks for reducing pain are currently used, the adherence rate of interventions is low, and adverse effects often occur. Chimsband, made up of silver and optic fibres, is a novel taping therapy that stimulates patients' acupoints and is expected to relieve pain with few adverse effects. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of Chimsband to relieve pain following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomised, parallel, controlled, exploratory clinical trial. Thirty participants who undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery will be randomly allocated to an intervention or a control group. Both groups will receive 10 sessions of interferential current therapy within a period of 2 weeks, while the intervention group will additionally receive taping therapy after undergoing physical therapy. Two follow-up visits will be scheduled after the last treatment session. The primary outcome variable will be the difference in the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between baseline and first follow-up evaluation after the end of 10 treatment sessions. The secondary outcomes will be VAS at the end of the second week, shoulder pain and disability index, range of motion, VAS while sleeping, questionnaire of blood stasis pattern identification at two follow-up visits, and number of bands used per visit. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks from visit 1 (+ within 6 days) after commencement, and at 4 weeks from visit 1 (+ within 6 days) follow-up. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first clinical trial to explore the effect and safety of Chimsband on postoperative shoulder pain. It would provide clinical evidence to conduct further taping therapy studies for relieving musculoskeletal pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Korean Clinical Trial Registry, KCT0002355 . Registered on 13 June 2017.

Improving the rhinomanometry technique using benzoin tincture.

OBJECTIVE: In order to achieve a faster and more reliable anterior rhinomanometric evaluation, nasal skin was prepared using benzoin tincture solution, which provides simpler and better adhesion of the foam tape to the nasal skin. METHOD: Two consecutive anterior rhinomanometry measurements were made, one with and one without benzoin tincture application. RESULTS: The average time taken to perform classic foam tape anterior rhinomanometry without benzoin tincture application was 281.32 seconds, and the average coefficients of variation for the right and left passages were 7.48 and 7.59 per cent, respectively. When benzoin tincture was used, the average time taken for completion of the tests was 121.24 seconds, and the average coefficients of variation for the right and left passages were 2.17 and 2.32 per cent. CONCLUSION: The use of benzoin tincture to clean the nasal skin before placing foam tape shortens the procedure duration and significantly increases test reliability.

Experiencia en el desbridamiento con Nexobrid(R) y cura húmeda con Prontosan(R) wound gel en el paciente quemado / Experience with Nexobrid(R) debridement and Prontosan(R) wound healling gel moist in the treatment of burn patients

Introducción y Objetivo. El desbridamiento tangencial y autoinjerto ha sido el tratamiento de elección de las quemaduras profundas. Actualmente, la disponibilidad de técnicas no quirúrgicas, como el desbridamiento enzimático con Nexobrid(R), introduce un cambio de concepto permitiendo mayor selectividad en la eliminación de la escara y optimizar la preservación de la dermis sana, menor cicatrización patológica, mejor resultado estético, y sobre todo menor agresión al paciente. Prontosan(R)Wound Gel es un hidrogel con propiedades antibacterianas para mantener cura húmeda, y no interfiere en la epitelización. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en desbridamiento enzimático y aplicación de cura húmeda con estos productos en quemaduras de segundo grado profundo y/o tercer grado faciales, en manos, extremidades inferiores y tronco. Material y Método. Incluimos todos los pacientes quemados de segundo grado profundo y/o tercer grado de cualquier extensión tratados con Nexobrid(R) para Unidad de Quemados entre diciembre de 2015 y febrero de 2017. Realizamos desbridamiento enzimático en las primeras 24 horas aplicándolo en un máximo del 15% de superficie corporal, seguido de cura con Prontosán(R) y oclusión con apósito hidrocoloide. Cobertura de quemaduras profundas que no curaron espontáneamente en quirófano, con injertos laminares. Las variables recogidas fueron: edad, sexo, agente causal, extensión, localización y profundidad, tiempo de hospitalización, localización, superficie corporal y profundidad de la quemadura en la zona en la que se aplicó Nexobrid®, eficacia del desbridamiento enzimático, necesidad de desbridamiento quirúrgico, necesidad de injerto, tiempo hasta epitelización y complicaciones. Resultados.Analizamos 17 pacientes con SCQ del 3 al 55%. Valoramos visualmente el desbridamiento enzimático inicial como completo en todos ellos. Solo 5 pacientes precisaron injertos laminares. En los que no precisaron desbridamiento quirúrgico, la epitelización se produjo a los 15 días como promedio. Estudio histopatológico en 3 pacientes: desbridamiento completo de la quemadura en 1 y parcial en 2, con abundante infiltrado inflamatorio linfocítico perivascular postratamiento. Los hallazgos histopatológicos se correlacionaron con la eficacia del desbridamiento valorado clínicamente en 1 de los 3 casos, y con el diagnóstico clínico de la quemadura en los 3 casos. Ningún caso precisó cirugía de secuelas tras un seguimiento medio de 7 meses. Conclusiones. Nexobrid(R) en combinación con Prontosan(R) Wound Gel en nuestra experiencia preliminar parece una alternativa viable en el tratamiento de quemaduras en cara, extremidad superior, extremidad inferior y tronco

Background and Objective. Tangential debridement and autograft have been the gold standard surgical treatment of deep burns. Nowadays, the availability of non surgical enzymatic debridement techniques, such as Nexobrid(R) has introduced a new concept in the treatment of burn patients, allowing an increase in the selectivity for the scar removal leading to the preservation of healthy dermis, reducing scarring, improving cosmetic outcome, and even more, minimizing aggression to the patient. Prontosan(R) Wound Gel is a hydrogel with antibacterial properties that can be used to keep wound bed moist, without interfering epithelialization. We present our experience with these combined products in deep dermal and/or subdermal burns affecting face, upper and lower extremities, perineal and trunk. Methods. All patients with deep dermal and/or subdermal burns treated with Nexobrid(R) in our Burn Unit between December 2015 and February 2017 were included. Enzymatic debridement was performed within the first 24 hours, applied up to 15% of body surface. After that, Prontosan(R) was applied and Varihesive(R) was used as a sealed dressing. Whenever grafting was necessary, it was performed in operating room adding split thickness grafts. Variables collected were: age, sex, agent, extension, location and depth of the burn, period of hospitalization, location, extension and depth of the burn in the area where Nexobrid ® was applied, efficacy of enzymatic debridement, needing for surgical debridement, needing of grafting, time to epithelialization and complications. Results. Seventeen patients with 3 to 55% burn body surface were included. Initial enzymatic debridement was complete in all patients. Only 5 patients needed split thickness grafting. Complete epithelialization was achieved on an average of 15 days. Histopathology studies were performed on 3 patients. Histopathology findings correlated to the clinical efficacy of the debridement in 1 out of the 3 cases, and to the clinical diagnosis of the burn in the 3 cases. After 7 months follow up, no patients required surgery for correction of sequelae. Conclusions. In our preliminary experience, combines use of Nexobrid(R) and Prontosan (R)Wound Gel seems a feasible alternative in the treatment of facial, upper and lower extremities and trunk burns

The effectiveness of conservative, non-pharmacological treatment, of plantar heel pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Plantar heel pain is one of the most common causes of pain and musculoskeletal pathologies of the foot. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the most effective, conservative and non-pharmacological treatments regarding pain in patients with plantar heel pain. The authors searched 5 databases and included only randomized control trials which investigated the efficacy of a conservative non-pharmacological treatment compared to the placebo, for the outcome of pain. Study selection, data collection and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two authors, and consensus was reached with a third author. Results were quantitatively summarized in meta-analyses, by separating homogeneous subgroups of trials by type of intervention. A total of 20 studies that investigated the efficacy of 9 different types of interventions were included, with a total of 4 meta-analyses carried out. The interventions: shock waves, laser therapy, orthoses, pulsed radiofrequency, dry-needling, and calcaneal taping resulted in being effective treatments for the outcome pain in patients with plantar heel pain when compared to the placebo. However, considering that the improvements were very small, and the quality of evidence was mostly low or moderate for many of the interventions, it was not possible to give definitive conclusions for clinical practice.

Efficacy of Tape Feedback Therapy on Synkinesis Following Severe Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Mirror feedback rehabilitation is effective in preventing the development of oro-ocular synkinesis following severe facial palsy. However, we do not have effective maneuvers to prevent the deterioration of oculo-oral synkinesis. We developed a new method of biofeedback rehabilitation using tape for the prevention of oculo-oral synkinesis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of taping feedback rehabilitation. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy who developed synkinesis were divided into 2 groups. Six patients were treated with the new training method, and the remaining 6 patients were treated with conventional therapy as controls. In the experiment group, tape was placed around the mouth, and the patient was instructed to close the eyes so that no movements of the mouth would be perceived from sensations of the taped skin. After 4 weeks of training, facial movements were recorded and movie images were graded for mouth synkinesis using the revised Sunnybrook facial grading system by examiners blinded to patient grouping. RESULTS: Mouth corner contraction during eye closure was significantly weaker in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our new feedback method could help prevent the deterioration of oculo-oral synkinesis.

Stroke: ineffective tube securement reduces nutrition and drug treatment.

Stroke patients with dysphagia often depend on nutrition, hydration and medication via nasogastric (NG) feeding tubes. Securing tubes using tape is associated with repeated tube loss. In this study, the authors determined cause and effect by auditing tube placement methods, delays incurred, duration and costs. Of 202 NG tube placements in 75 patients, 67 placements occurred in 17 patients over a full course of enteral nutrition (EN) and 40 of these placements were tracked. Tubes were secured by tape in 100%, mittens 31% and special observation 5.4%. However, over an EN course, inadvertent tube loss occurred in 82% of patients and was associated with age (p=0.049) and mitten use (p<0.001): 64% of tubes were lost due to patients and 9% slipped. Average 'tube life' was 2 days, less than 25% of the EN episode (p<0.001). While tube placement occurred within 2.55 hours of request, X-ray confirmation led to a delay in feed and drugs of 8-9 hours per tube placement and loss of 18.8% of feeding time per EN episode. Delays exceeded the 1-hour and 4-hour limits for antibiotics and other medicines in 20% and 80%, respectively. In the 17 tracked patients, it was estimated that 55% of the £5979 direct costs could be saved by nasal bridle use. In conclusion, most tubes studied were lost to inadvertent tube removal, leading to clinically significant delays to nutrition, hydration and drug treatments; this may impair recovery. Reducing tube loss is likely to reduce patient distress, treatment cost and enhance recovery.

Influence of temporary nasal occlusion (tNO) on epistaxis frequency in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of temporary nasal occlusion (tNO) with hypoallergenic tape on the frequency and severity of epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). This prospective observational study included 20 HHT patients who were undergoing Nd:YAG laser therapy at regular intervals. Over a 3-month period, laser therapy was supplemented by tNO with hypoallergenic tape for 5 h/day on average. On a 0-10 numeric rating scale, the patients reported significantly greater satisfaction in epistaxis terms after tNO treatment, with mean scores of 5 before and 7 after 3-month tNO (p = 0.05). The Epistaxis Severity Score also fell significantly from a median of 3.59-2.43 after 3-month tNO compared with laser therapy alone (p = 0.01). The patients' hemoglobin levels remained stable during the study (median: 12.2 g/dL before tNO; median: 11.7 g/dL after tNO; p = 0.387). Overall, the present study confirms the positive influence of tNO on epistaxis in HHT patients and on subjective satisfaction. This simple and inexpensive strategy is therefore a helpful option, especially in addition to regular Nd:YAG laser therapy, and is recommended by the authors.

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.

Comparison of microneedles and adhesive-tape stripping in skin preparation for epicutaneous allergen delivery.

BACKGROUND: Epicutaneous immunotherapy targets the network of dendritic cells in the epidermis. Allergen exposure of the dermal layers should be limited as these contain mast cells and blood vessels, which increases the risk for local and systemic allergic reactions. METHODS: This intraindividually controlled trial included 20 subjects with birch pollen allergy. Three areas of the volar forearms were treated by repeated adhesive-tape stripping, single-prick lancet piercing and microneedle array application. Four 10-fold dilutions of allergen extract were applied to each area and the IgE-mediated immediate-phase reactions and cell-mediated eczema were assessed. RESULTS: Allergen application after tape stripping led to an immediate-phase reaction in 2 subjects (10%) at the highest allergen concentration of 10 HEP/ml. Both prick needle and microneedle pretreatment resulted in immediate-phase reactions in all subjects (100%). The reactivity pattern, however, differed significantly: 95% of the reactions after pricking occurred at concentrations of ≤0.1 HEP/ml, whereas 50% of the reactions after microneedle preparation were noted at ≥1 HEP/ml. In 3 subjects (15%), eczema was observed on the microneedle-treated skin area. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Microneedles enhance stratum corneum penetration when compared to tape stripping. However, they do not resolve the problem of mast cell-mediated local reactions, possibly due to diffusion into the dermis. The occurrence of eczema after the microneedle treatment suggests induction of dendritic cell-mediated T cell responses. Therefore, skin preparation with microneedles may be a promising method for epicutaneous allergen immunotherapy.

[Kinesiotaping--treatment of upper limb lymphoedema in patients after breast cancer surgery]. / Kinesiotaping w leczeniu obrzeku limfatycznego konczyny górnej u pacjentki po operacji raka piersi--studium przypadku.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of lymphatic kinesiotaping in patients after unilateral breast cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Complex decongestive therapy in patients after right-side breast-conserving surgery was done once a week for 2 months (from November to December 2014). It involved manual lymph drainage and lymphatic application of kinesiotaping. An original kinesiology tape (Nitto Denko, Japan) was used for the treatment. Lymphoedema was measured at the beginning and at the end of treatment in centimetres in specific places: metatarsal, wrist, at the mid-length of the forearm, in the elbow and at the mid-length of the upper arm. The volume of oedema was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: The reduction of lymphoedema in different places. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesiotaping may be an alternative method in relation to the use of materials in complex decongestive therapy. However, this technique requires further research.

The Usefulness of Leukosan SkinLink for Simple Facial Laceration Repair in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND: Repair of facial laceration in the emergency department can pose a number of difficulties. Children can be uncooperative, but adults can also be if they have sustained head trauma or are intoxicated. Leukosan SkinLink consists of topical adhesive and adhesive tape that can be applied easily to long or tense wounds. In this study, the authors compared conventional suturing with Leukosan SkinLink for facial laceration patients in the emergency department. METHODS: The prospective study was carried out from March 2013 to September 2013 with linear facial laceration patients visiting the emergency department. Exclusion criteria were open fractures, joint injuries, skin defects, hairy skin, and mucosa. The author used Leukosan SkinLink for skin closure in the experimental group and used conventional suturing in the control group. The scar evaluation using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) along with satisfaction scores, procedure times, and complications were compared. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients (30 in the control group and 47 in the experimental group) participated and underwent follow-up for 6 months postoperatively. The scar assessment using the POSAS and the satisfaction score in both groups were similar. The average procedure time in the experimental group was shorter. In the control group, there were four cases of wound dehiscence, two of infection, and one of skin necrosis, whereas four cases of wound dehiscence and one allergic reaction occurred in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: With a simple application technique, Leukosan SkinLink is a new effective method for facial laceration repair especially useful for children and uncooperative adults.

Current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping in clinical practice: a systematic review.

QUESTIONS: Is Kinesio Taping more effective than a sham taping/placebo, no treatment or other interventions in people with musculoskeletal conditions? Is the addition of Kinesio Taping to other interventions more effective than other interventions alone in people with musculoskeletal conditions? DESIGN: Systematic review of randomised trials. PARTICIPANTS: People with musculoskeletal conditions. INTERVENTION: Kinesio Taping was compared with sham taping/placebo, no treatment, exercises, manual therapy and conventional physiotherapy. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity, disability, quality of life, return to work, and global impression of recovery. RESULTS: Twelve randomised trials involving 495 participants were included in the review. The effectiveness of the Kinesio Taping was tested in participants with: shoulder pain in two trials; knee pain in three trials; chronic low back pain in two trials; neck pain in three trials; plantar fasciitis in one trial; and multiple musculoskeletal conditions in one trial. The methodological quality of eligible trials was moderate, with a mean of 6.1 points on the 10-point PEDro Scale score. Overall, Kinesio Taping was no better than sham taping/placebo and active comparison groups. In all comparisons where Kinesio Taping was better than an active or a sham control group, the effect sizes were small and probably not clinically significant or the trials were of low quality. CONCLUSION: This review provides the most updated evidence on the effectiveness of the Kinesio Taping for musculoskeletal conditions. The current evidence does not support the use of this intervention in these clinical populations. PROSPERO registration: CRD42012003436.

Redefining essential care in lymphoedema.

The awareness, diagnosis and management of chronic oedema and lymphoedema is improving. The enduring treatment format for the condition has always been regarded as the 'four cornerstones' of care for maintenance therapy in the UK. However, with changes in technology, availability of additional treatments and increased research and studies, this baseline is changing. This article outlines some of the recent changes and advancement in diagnostic tools and new technologies used in diagnosing and managing lymphoedema and chronic oedema. Emerging therapies will be introduced, as will other aspects of care that may now be considered 'essential care' in the management of lymphoedema and chronic oedema.

Reliability testing of vasti activity measurements in taped and untaped patellofemoral conditions during single leg squatting in healthy subjects: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Measuring vasti muscles activity may provide reliable evidence for patellar taping to correct probable malalignment in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). The aim of present study was to examine the reliability of vasti activity measurements in different patellofemoral conditions during squatting in healthy subjects. METHODS: Using an electromyography (EMG) unit, the ratio amplitudes and onsets of VMO and VL muscles of twelve healthy subjects were assessed during single leg squatting. Data was collected from surface electrodes placed over the muscle bellies of the VMO and VL. This procedure was performed on the right knees, before (BT), during (WT) and shortly after patellar taping (SAT). RESULTS: While the CV (coefficient of variation), ICC (intra class correlation coefficient), LSD (least significant difference) and SEM (standard error of measurement) values revealed the high reliability of the VMO/VL amplitude measurements during single leg squatting (p < 0.05), the related values demonstrated poor to moderate reliability of VMO-VL onset measurements during the similar activity (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Reliability tests conducted during the current study showed that, while the relative amplitude of vasti could be used as highly reliable parameter, the muscle onsets of vasti had poor to moderate reliability.