Short-Term Effects of Patellar Kinesio Taping on Pain and Hop Function in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Context: Anterior knee pain also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome is a frequently encountered musculoskeletal disorder that worsens with activity. The multifactorial etiology of patellofemoral pain syndrome alters lower-extremity mechanics, increasing patellofemoral joint stresses during weight-bearing tasks. Kinesio and McConnell tapings are often incorporated into the treatment, but their efficacy is still unclear. Objective: To test the efficacy of Kinesio taping, McConnell taping, and sham taping in improving knee mechanics and reducing pain during activity. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: Clinical biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Ten participants (age: 20.3 [1.5] y, height: 169.9 [10.4] cm, and mass: 70.17 [13.1] kg) with anterior knee pain and no history of trauma. Intervention: Three trials each of squat, drop jump, and step-down tasks with 3 taping conditions in a counterbalanced order. Main Outcome Measures: Two-dimensional motion capture data of lower-extremities in frontal and sagittal planes were recorded and analyzed using 3 iPads and Spark Motion® application. Pooled effect sizes (Hedges’ g), 95% confidence intervals, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (P < .05) compared baseline and taping conditions during exercises for pain Visual Analog Scale and knee flexion in all exercises, hip abduction during step-down and drop jump, frontal plane projection during step-downs, and knee translation in sagittal plane during squats. Results: Significant reductions in Visual Analog Scale were recorded during squats between tapes (F2.505,12.867 = 3.407, P = .04, Hedges’ g = −0.70). Pairwise comparison showed a decrease in Visual Analog Scale for sham taping (mean difference = 1.14 cm, P = .01) and Kinesio taping (mean difference = 1.54 cm, P = .02) compared with baseline during squats. Conclusions: A variety of taping methods can potentially reduce perceived pain in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome, allowing clinicians to perform rehabilitation exercises. Sensory effects associated with short-term taping may be sufficient enough to modify knee pain acutely by afferent input blocking nocioceptive pain before the participants could adapt. Most interestingly, the sham taping technique demonstrated promise for enhancing functional outcomes, depending on the length of the tape and area covered.

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Effects of Kinesio Taping versus McConnell Taping for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/471208 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Wen-Dien Chang ◽

Fu-Chen Chen ◽

Chia-Lun Lee ◽

Hung-Yu Lin ◽

Ping-Tung Lai

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Motor Function ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Kinesio Taping ◽

Central Register

Objectives. To conduct a systematic review comparing the effects of Kinesio taping with McConnell taping as a method of conservative management of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).Methods. MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE, AMED, and the Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials electronic databases were searched through July 2014. Controlled studies evaluating the effects of Kinesio or McConnell taping in PFPS patients were retrieved.Results. Ninety-one articles were selected from the articles that were retrieved from the databases, and 11 articles were included in the analysis. The methods, evaluations, and results of the articles were collected, and the outcomes of patellar tapings were analyzed. Kinesio taping can reduce pain and increase the muscular flexibility of PFPS patients, and McConnell taping also had effect in pain relief and patellar alignment. Meta-analysis showed small effect in pain reduction and motor function improvement and moderate effect in muscle activity change among PFPS patients using Kinesio taping.Conclusions. Kinesio taping technique used for muscles can relieve pain but cannot change patellar alignment, unlike McConnell taping. Both patellar tapings are used differently for PFPS patients and substantially improve muscle activity, motor function, and quality of life.

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The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Anterior Knee Pain Consistent With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Critically Appraised Topic

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2014-0278 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 288-293

Author(s):

Samantha A. Campbell ◽

Alison R. Valier

Keyword(s):

Knee Pain ◽

Anterior Knee Pain ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain ◽

Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽

Clinical Scenario ◽

Clinical Question ◽

Kinesio Taping ◽

Anterior Knee

Clinical Scenario:Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) occurs in 25% of adolescents and adults and is the leading cause of knee pain in runners. Pain is commonly felt when ascending or descending stairs, deep squatting, kneeling, or running. There is no consensus on the etiology of this condition, but insufficient hip strength, malalignment of the lower extremity, hyperpronation of the foot, and patellar incongruence have been suggested. Common treatments of PFPS include strengthening of quadriceps and hip muscles, McConnell taping, electrical stimulation, and foot orthotics, but effectiveness of these treatments is inconclusive. Kinesio Taping is an alternative taping technique for musculoskeletal injuries including PFPS. Although research suggests that Kinesio Taping decreases pain and improves range of motion for some musculoskeletal injuries, its effectiveness in decreasing pain in patients with PFPS in unknown. Furthermore, Kinesio Taping has not been compared with other taping techniques including McConnell taping.Focused Clinical Question:For patients with anterior knee pain consistent with PFPS, does treatment with Kinesio Taping decrease pain more than McConnell taping or no tape at all?

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