Effects of Kinesio Tape on Vascularity, Pliability, and Height of the Hypertrophic Scar in Burns Patients: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Deep burns damage the reticular dermis and may lead to the formation of hypertrophic scars. Compression therapy reduces local vascularity and realigns collagen fibers, resulting in esthetic and functional improvements. This study evaluated the effect of Kinesio tape compression with maximum mechanical tension on vascularity, pliability, and the height of hypertrophic scars following deep burns. A single-blind, randomized pilot clinical trial was carried out. The elastic compression of Kinesio tape was applied at maximum stretch in the intervention group (n = 11) and no stretch in the sham group (n = 11). Vascularity, pliability, and height (the primary outcomes) were evaluated at 0, 45, and 90 days using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The association between the VSS scores, the intervention and the evaluation moment were analyzed using linear mixed-effects regression models, while comparisons of means between the groups were performed using the Student's t-test. Significance was set at 5%. The mean VSS scores were similar between the groups. Significant improvement occurred in both groups when posttreatment and baseline scores were compared. No further improvement was found in the vascularity, pliability, or height of hypertrophic scars resulting from deep burns when an elastic compression of Kinesio tape was used at maximum tension compared to lesser mechanical tension.