Histological examination of effects of kinesio®tape application on soft tissue after trauma

Purpose: To perform a histological study on effects of Kinesio® taping (KT) applied on an soft tissue inflammation. Materials and Methods: 24 female Wistar albino rats (mean weight: 192.37 grams) were included in the study. Rats were randomized to four groups. Except first group, inflammation and muscle contusion was created with drop-ball technique. A plaster was applied in fourth group while Kinesio® tape was applied in the second and third groups. The left sides of same rats were used as control group. Tissue samples were taken after rats were euthanized. Obtained tissue sections were examined under a light microscope after staining with hematoxylin and eosin for the assessment of epidermal-dermal distance and edema area. To evaluate the apoptosis, effectiveness of pain receptors and vasculer changes in the tissue sections, they were stained with NGF, Bcl-2, VEGF immunohistochemically. Results: Epidermal- dermal distance in KT groups was found to be higher than distances in healthy tissue and plaster groups (p<0.05). Notable decrease in edematous areas were seen especially in groups with 6 hour KT application. There is a reduction in Bcl-2 immune reaction in the groups with KT application. Reduction in NGF immune retention was showed in the groups with KT application. Immune retention could not be showed in all groups when VEGF immune reaction was assessed. Conclusion: It was histologically proved that KT application is an effective method, which decreases edema and pain after experimentally created soft tissue inflammation by increasing the distance between epidermal-dermal tissue distance.