Purpose: This study evaluated and compared the therapeutic effects of shockwave therapy (SWT) and kinesio tape on scar tonometry and modified Vancouver scar scale (MVSS) measurements in patients with post burn hypertrophic scar. Methods: Riester Schiötz tonometer and MVSS were used for assessment of hypertrophic scars pre and post treatments. Thirtypatients of both sexes (20-40 years) complaining of post burn hypertrophic scars participated in the study.Patients were randomly allotted into two groups equivalent in number; every group consisted of 15 patients. Group A (7 males and 8females) received Chattanooga shock wave therapy (Intelect Radial Pressure Wave),100 impulses at 0.037 mJ/mm2 /cm. Total energy applied for each impulse was 3.5 mJ, with a frequency of 4 Hz or 240 impulses/minute. The average time for each session was 5-10 minutes. Treatment was performed every two weeks for two months plus the physical therapy program. Group B (6 males and 9 males) received kinesio taping. The tape was applied to clean, degreased skin three days for 12 weeks plus the physical therapy program. Data was obtained from the two groups about scar tonometry and MVSS before starting the treatment as a pretreatment record and at the end of the eighth week of treatment as a post treatment record. Results: Results revealed thatkinesio tape showed significant decrease in the tonometer and MVSS compared to the shock wave therapy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study offer preliminary support for the premise that kinesio taping could be beneficial for treatment of post burn hypertrophic scars.
