Bibliometric mapping of the use of taping in the control of post-surgical edema

The use of taping techniques for the control of postoperative edema has gained prominence in physiotherapy and medical specialties such as vascular, orthopedic, and plastic surgery.

This study aimed to map and analyze the international scientific production related to the use of taping for edema control, identifying research trends, main contributors, and gaps in knowledge.

A bibliometric study was carried out using the Web of Science database. Searches were performed using the terms Kinesiotaping, Bandaging, Kinesiology taping, covering the period from 2000 to 2024. Data were exported and analyzed through HistCite and VOS viewer software to assess publication trends, citation networks, authorship, countries, journals, and keywords.

A total of 1031 articles were identified, of which 563 met the inclusion criteria for relevance. The findings revealed a progressive increase in publications over the last decade, with higher contributions from the United States, Brazil, and South Korea. The most cited studies addressed the physiological effects of taping on lymphatic flow and tissue pressure regulation.

The proposed bibliometric model enabled the identification of research patterns, key authors, and thematic clusters related to taping and edema management. The analysis highlights the growing scientific interest in the topic and the need for more clinical trials to consolidate evidence in postoperative applications.