Table 5.
Summary of outcomes.
| Author, year | Scar type | Tape type used | Duration of wear | Incidence of irritation | Outcome measure used | Patient satisfaction details | Scar outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson et al., 2005 | Linear / hypertrophic | MicroporeTM | 12 weeks | 4/34 0.12% | Ultrasound Scar Classification Scale (Mustoe) |
Not reported | None of the treatment group developed HTS on completion of 12 weeks 12 patients (41%) developed HTS in control HTS after tape removal: 1/39 Stretched scars after tape removal: 3/39 |
| Daya, 2011 | Hypertrophic / keloid | MicroporeTM | Different for all depending on follow-up adherence | 2/29 (0.006%) | Modified POSAS Scar appearance (photographic score) |
Not reported | Pain reduction*
Itch reduction* Thickness reduction* 69% decrease in scar elevation* 29% no change in scar † Reduced scar redness, height and shine on study completion |
| Karwacińska et al., 2012 | Hypertrophic / keloid | Kinesio tapes | 12 weeks | Not reported | Thickness: digital calliper Patient satisfaction Personal observations (author) Colour change |
Change in appearance and scar perception after 3 weeks (37 patients), 6 weeks (10 patients), 9 weeks (5 patients), 12 weeks (2 patients) 77% reported 100% satisfaction |
(All subjective parameters) Height: 50% reduced height Colour: 40% significant change Scar tissue mobility: 33% had 50% improvement, 27% had 100% improvement |
| Kim et al., 2015 | Linear | Leukosan Skin Link™ tape AND Steri Strips™ | 10 days then Steri Strips™ for 3 months | 1/77 (0.012%) |
POSAS Patient satisfaction Procedure times |
Taping group more satisfied on 4-point scale (3.19/4) | Both groups scored POSAS ~20/60
‡
Procedure time shorter* |
| Lin et al., 2020 | Linear | Steri Strips™ | 12 weeks | Not reported | VSS VAS |
Significantly better scar appearance than tape at 6 and 12 months, no differences between pain and itch | No statistically significant differences found at 3 and 12 months with respect to pliability, height, vascularity and pigmentation
†
Keloid or HTS did not change outcomes on the VSS or VAS |
| Rosengren et al., 2013 | Linear | Leukosan Skin Link™ tape | 2 weeks | 1/63 (0.015%) | Scar width, elevation, depression and colouration Scar appearance Patient satisfaction |
Subjective scar assessment same in both groups at 6 months Very satisfied 43.1% (taped group) |
Overall scar rating*
Median scar width was 1 mm narrower when taped* |
| Sawada et al., 1998 | Hypertrophic / post grafting | Blenderm™ | 4–6 months, mean = 5.2 months | Mild plaster dermatitis to surrounding normal skin, no % reported | Scar pigmentation, hardness, bulkiness, wrinkles and shrinkage | Not reported | (All subjective parameters) Reported at 18 months Pigmentation: 100% improvement † ‘Hardness’: 55% improvement † 3 participants were noted to have improvement in bulkiness, less ‘wrinkles’ and shrinkage (graft became less contracted) † |
| Toscano et al., 2016 | Hypertrophic / post grafting | Kinesio tape | 7 months | No adverse effects | ROM Photographic assessment Scar colour, extensibility, pliability, pain, and dysesthesia |
Good patient compliance noted | Faster change in scar colour during remodelling phase ‘ripening phase’
†
Pliability increase, colour improved, pain resolved, tension and hypertrophy reduced, resolution of hypersensitivity, increased functional ROM † |
| Widgerow et al., 2009 | Linear | MicroporeTM | 3–6 months | Nil | POSAS VSS |
Not reported | Scars demonstrated borderline significance with respect to stiffness, thickness, and regularity
†
No patients developed HTS |
*
Statistically significant result.
†
Not statistically significant.
‡
POSAS scores closer to 0 are deemed a more appealing scar.
HTS, hypertrophic scarring; POSAS, Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale; VAS, visual analogue scale; VSS, Vancouver Scar Scale.