The Contribution of Kinesiotape Application Combined with Calf Exercises to Conservative Treatment Efficacy in Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

Objective: Exercise is recommended to increase venous refilling time and for restoring the calf muscle pump in chronic venous insufficiency. Several researchers reported positive results on efficacy of kinesiotape application in chronic venous insufficiency. The present study is designed to investigate the efficacy of kinesiotape application when combined to a calf exercise program in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Material and Methods: A total of 51 patients were included in the study. Participants were randomly divided into three groups. Visual analog pain scale and visual analog general health scale eval--uations, and ankle joint range of motion and isokinetic muscle strength measurements were performed before the treatment. Interventions regarding the groups were as follows: Group 1; the exercise program alone, Group 2; kinesiotape application combined with the exercise program, Group 3; the exercise program with pseudo kinesiotape application. The measurements were repeated four weeks following the interventions. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the demographic data of the patients (p>0.05). In all three groups, the visual analog pain scale scores decreased and the vi--sual analog general health scale scores increased (p˂0.05). The decreasing visual analog pain scale scores in groups 2 and 3 were statistically higher than that of group 1 (p˂0.05). There was no change in the range of motion of the ankle joints after treatment (p˃0.05). Isokinetic plantar muscle strength was increased significantly in all three groups (p˂0.05). However, muscle strength and total work values of Group 2 patients were significantly higher than the other two groups (p˂0.05). Conclusion: Calf exercises are effective in decreasing the symptoms of chronic venous insuffici--ency. This effect can be augmented by kineosiotape application.