Table II. —Main characteristics of the studies included in the systematic review.

Authors	Nation	Sample	Age (year)	Severity of lymphedema	Intervention	Control	Outcome	Main findings
Basoglu C. et al.41	Türkiye	Total: N.=.40 Group 1: 20 Group 2: 20	Tot: NA Group 1: 53.7±8.6 Group 2: 53.4±8.3	Grade II	Group 1: 5-cm wide standard tapes (Kinesio® Tex Classic). A total of 6 tapes, 3 above the elbow and 3 below the elbow	Group 2: physiotherapist for the first week, 5 days a week. MLD, compression bandages, exercise, and skincare. MLD was applied to the side of the affected limb quadrant, starting at the base of the neck and then progressing to the limb.	Circumference difference (cm), volume difference (mL), Grip strength (kg), Q-DASH, Fact-B. Data were collected at T0 (baseline) and at T1 (4 weeks).	There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical improvements even with respect to the initial assessment of all outcomes (P>0.05).
Ozsoy-Unubol, T. et al.42	Türkiye	Tot: N.=35 Group 1: 16 Group 2: 19	Tot: NA Group 1: 50.5±6.4 Group 2: 54.5±7.4	Grade I	Group 1: KT was applied at intervals in three-four days intervals for four weeks. KT was performed on the arms and forearms with a 4-fan type tape. The anchor started without tension and the tails of the 15% tension tape were applied to the medial, anterior, and posterior aspects of distal affected upper limb.	Group 2: patients were treated daily with CGs for 23 hours, preventive measures, education, and exercises.	Circumference measurements (cm). the shoulder range of motion (ROM) was measured with a goniom­eter, and pain, heaviness, and the sensation of tightness were assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).	Both groups had decreases in all classes of arm circumference differences at the end of the therapy and at three-month follow-up. Significant differences were detected early post treatment in the wrist, 15 cm distal from ME, and within the ME of the CG group.
Pajero Otero, V. et al.43	Spain	Tot: N.=30 Group 1: 15 Group 2: 15	Tot: NA Group 1: Group 2:	Grade II/III	Group 1 received KT (24 h/day during 4 weeks and replaced every week) followed by therapy with CGs. KT consisted of parallel strips, 1.25 cm wide, covering the distal affected upper limb in a spiral model, starting from the contralateral axilla, passing through the patient’s back.	Group 2 received compression garments which were followed by kinesio taping.	Relative change in volume and the relative change in volume of BRCL upper limb. shoulder ROM, and pain, heaviness, and the sensation of tightness were assessed with a 5-points Likert Scale.	Kinesio taping decreases BCRL lymphedema during its keeping phase compared to CGs. Moreover, upper limb ranges of motion improve significantly after KT application.
Pekyavaş, N.Ö. et al.44	Türkiye	Tot: N.=45 Group 1: 15 Group 2: 15 Group 3: 15	Tot: NA Group 1: 56.5±9.4 Group 2: 49.6±10.5 Group 3: 58±8.5	Grade II/III	CDT consisting of skin care, MLD, compression application, and exercise program, with KT lymphatic correction application Each intervention underwent five sessions per week in the 2-week treatment program	The second group underwent CDT enclosing skin care, short-stretch multilayer compression application, MLD, and an exercise program. The third group likewise performed CDT consisting of skin care, MLD, compression application, and exercise program, but KT lymphatic correction application was applied under the bandage	Lymphedema volume (mL). SF-36. VAS was used to assess stiffness, numbness, heaviness and discomfort. Assessment timepoints were set before and at the end of therapy (10th day) and a follow-up visit one month after the end of treatment.	The combination of KT with CDT (skincare, MLD and exercise) might have encouraging results on diminishing the BCRL symptoms
Tantawy, S.A. et al.45	Egypt	Tot: N.=59 Group 1: 30 Group 2: 29	Tot: NA Group 1: 54.3±4.16 Group 2: 55.15±.27	Grade II/III	Group 1 underwent 2 KT sessions per 3 weeks. The KT involved one fan shape for the chest, 2 fan respectively for the arm, and the forearm, and lastly one fan for the wrist.	Group 2 underwent CGs (20-60 mmHg) daily for at least 15 hours for three weeks.	Circumference measurements (cm). SPADI, handgrip strength, and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30). pre and post 3 weeks of intervention	Significant reduction in limb circumference was demonstrated in the KT group. Moreover there was a significant impact in SPADI score, handgrip strength, and overall QoL at the end of the treatment (P<0.05) compared to PG group
Taradaj, J. et al.46	Poland	Tot: N.=70 Group 1: 22 Group 2: 23 Group 3: 25	Tot: NA Group 1: 60.3±4.2 Group 2: 63.2±5.1 Group 3: 62.4±4.8	Grade II/III	Group 1 underwent KT (6 fans, up to 15% stretch) with MLD and intermittent pneumatic compression. KT included two fans from elbow to fingers, two fans from the axilla to the elbow, one fan from axillary nodes along the chest to the unaffected axillary side, and one from the inguinal region on the affected side along the trunk to the axillary contralateral side.	Group 2: sham KT combined with intermittent pneumatic compression and MLD. An adhesive had the same colour of KT, but without therapeutic characteristics. Methodology and application were the same as in group A. Group 3: Standard procedure (intermittent pneumatic compression and MLD and multilayered bandaging.	Limb volume (cm3), handgrip strength, Range of motion was evaluated with standard goniometric measurement was performed (Baseline device; Technomex). The BCRL volume was assessed using an optoelectronic perometer. Timepoints were set at T0 (baseline) and at T1 (4 weeks).	After the treatment, KT reported a not significant reduction of grade II and III of BCRL.
Torres Lacomba, M. et al.47	Spain	Tot: N.= 146 Group I: 29 Group 2: 28 Group 3: 30 Group 4: 29 Group 5: 30	Tot: NA Group 1: 59.6±10.6 Group 2: 58 11.4 Group 3: 56.2±11.5 Group 4: 58±13.8 Group 5: 59.8±9.4	Grade I/II	Group I underwent KT with 15-20% tension. KT included 2 fans (4 strap≠s) for shoulder, 2 fans (4 straps) for elbow, and 2 fans (4 straps) for wrist.	Group 2: Multilayer bandage group Group 3: simplified multilayer group Group 4: Cohesive group Group 5: Adhesive group	Percentage excess volume change. Other outcomes measured were heaviness and tightness symptoms, and bandage or tape perceived comfort with a 10-point scale	Simplified multilayer seems more effective and more comfortable than multilayer bandage. Cohesive bandage seems as effective as simplified multilayer and multilayer bandage. Nevertheless, KT appeared to be the least effective

M: male, F: female; KT: kinesio tape; MLD: manual lymphatic drainage; MMDC: moisture meter-D compact; CDT: complex decongestive therapy; CG: compression garment.