Cezary Kucio

Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Pilot Study

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Kinesiology Taping (KT) for treating breast cancer-related lymphedema. Sixty-five women with unilateral stage II and III lymphedema were randomly grouped into the KT group (K-tapes, n = 20), the Quasi KT group (quasi K-tapes, n = 22), or the MCT group (multilayered compression therapy group, n = 23). Skin care, 45 min pneumatic compression therapy, 1 h manual lymphatic drainage, and application of K-tape/Quasi K-tapes/multilayered short-stretch bandages were given every treatment session, 3 times per week for 1 month. Patient evaluation items included limb size and percentage edema. Comparing the changes in K-tapes with quasi K-tapes changes, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05). The edema reduction of multilayered bandages was much better than in results observed in taping groups. The KT appeared to be ineffective at secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. The single-blind, controlled pilot study results suggest that K-tape could not replace the bandage, and at this moment it must not be an alternative choice for the breast cancer-related lymphedema patient. The trial is registered with ACTRN12613001173785.

Early and long-term results of physical methods in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: randomized controlled trial.

Objective To estimate early and long-term results of physical methods in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Method In group A after surgical operation, 40 patients were treated with the high-voltage stimulation (HVS) (100 µs, 100 Hz, 100 V) and drug therapy. In group B after operation, 37 patients were treated with ultrasound (0.5 W/cm2, 1 MHz) and drug therapy. In group C after operation, 33 patients were treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (810 nm, 65 mW) and drug therapy. In group D after operation, 35 patients were treated with the compression stockings (25–31 mmHg) and drug therapy. In group E after operation, 37 patients were only treated with drug therapy. Group F consisted of 32 patients, conservatively treated with the HVS and drug therapy. Group G consisted of 20 patients, conservatively treated with ultrasound and drug therapy. Group H consisted of 21 patients, conservatively treated with LLLT and drug therapy. Group I consisted of 30 patients, conservatively treated with compression and drug therapy. Group J consisted of 27 patients only treated with drug therapy. Results Both short and long term parameters showed that compression therapy is the most efficient in ulcer healing. The electrical and ultrasound methods are less effective. The laser therapy ared useless. Conclusion Superficial venous surgery in addition to compression therapy is the most efficient treatment of venous leg ulcers. The compression therapy should be continued both surgically and conservatively treated patients with healed ulcers. In special cases after superficial venous surgery (isolated superficial reflux) compression therapy could be applied only to the time of ulcer closure without continuing it longer. HVS and ultrasound therapy are useful methods in conservative treatment of venous leg ulcers. For surgically-treated patients these physical therapies are efficient only in superficial plus deep reflux cases. HVS and ultrasound can be alternative methods, but are less effective in recurrence risk. LLLT is not an efficient physical method in treatment of venous leg ulcers.

Effect of Laser Irradiation at Different Wavelengths (940, 808, and 658 nm) on Pressure Ulcer Healing: Results from a Clinical Study

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of laser therapy (at different wavelengths: 940, 808, and 658 nm) for treating pressure ulcers. The primary endpoint in this trial included both the percentage reduction of the ulcer surface area and the percentage of completely healed wounds after one month of therapy (ulcer healing rate). The secondary endpoint was the ulcer healing rate at the follow-up evaluation (3 months after the end of the study). In total, 72 patients with stage II and III pressure ulcers received laser therapy once daily, 5 times per week for 1 month using a (GaAlAs) diode laser with a maximum output power of 50 mW and continuous radiation emission. Three separate wavelengths were used for the laser treatment: 940 nm (group I), 808 nm (group II), and 658 nm (group III). An average dose of 4 J/cm2 was applied. In group IV, a placebo was applied (laser device was turned off). The laser therapy at a wavelength of 658 nm appeared to be effective at healing pressure ulcers. The wavelengths of 808 and 940 nm did not have any effect in our study.

Evaluation of the Healing Progress of Pressure Ulcers Treated with Cathodal High-Voltage Monophasic Pulsed Current: Results of a Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness of high-voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC) as an adjunct to a standard wound care for the treatment of Stage II and III pressure ulcers (PrUs). DESIGN:Prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study. SETTING:Two nursing and care centers. PATIENTS:Patients with PrUs that did not respond to previous treatment for at least 4 weeks were randomly assigned to the electrical stimulation (ES) group (25 patients; mean age of 79.92 ± 8.50 years; mean wound surface area [WSA] of 10.58 ± 10.57 cm2) or to the control group (24 patients; mean age of 76.33 ± 12.74 years; mean WSA of 9.71 ± 6.70 cm2). INTERVENTIONS:Both the ES and control groups received standard wound care and respectively, cathodal HVMPC (154 microseconds; 100 pulses per second; 0.24 A; 250 &mgr;/s) applied continuously for 50 minutes once a day, 5 times a week, or sham HVMPC. MAIN OUTCOME:Percentage area reduction over 6 weeks of intervention. MAIN RESULTS:In the ES group, there was a statistically significant decrease in WSA after 1 week of treatment (35% ± 30.5%) compared with 17.07% ± 34.13% in the control group (P = .032). After treatment, at week 6, percentage area reduction in the ES group was 80.31% ± 29.02% versus 54.65% ± 42.65% in the control group (P = .046). CONCLUSIONS:Cathodal HVMPC reduces the WSA of Stage II and III PrUs. The results are consistent with the results of other researchers who used HVMPC to treat PrUs.