Title: Proof of concept for tension reducing taping as a mechanotherapy for hypertrophic post trauma and burn scars. 

Objective
There is strong acknowledgement that mechanical forces can regulate inflammation and fibrosis and therefore may be used therapeutically to stimulate tissue repair and remodeling. This mechanism is referred to as “mechanotherapy”. Although the pathophysiological background of mechanotherapy is well described, evidence based practical applications are lacking within scar treatment. 
The goal of this study is to obtain a proof of concept for a newly developed taping technique that can reduce tension on pathological post trauma and burn scars. In a previous study we developed a technique consisting of one piece of elastic therapeutic tape with a longitudinal incision made in the middle of the tape. The latter technique is most suitable for scars in between joints. The current technique is innovative for scars located over joints.

Methods
Scar patients are selected based upon predefined in- and exclusion criteria. Two pieces of tape are applied in a standardised way, thus reducing tension at the scar site. The tape makes no direct contact with the scar site, thereby avoiding maceration of the scar.
Distensibility, which has an inverse relationship with tension, is measured before application of the elastic therapeutic tape with a Cutometer, which measures the vertical deformation of the skin in millimetres when the skin is pulled by means of a controlled vacuum into the circular aperture of a probe. This measurement is repeated after the application of the tape, one, two and three days later. The more the skin can be deformed, the more tension is reduced on that skin site. 
 
Results
Currently data collection is being finalized and results can be presented at the conference.