What is the evidence for patellar taping in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome?
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Summary
Patient Population:
All identified participants were diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The proportion of male participants ranged from 32-80%. Ages of participants ranged from 18.7 – 45 years. Although some studies included participants younger than age 18, the authors of the review speculate that these were relatively few in number. Mean duration of symptoms ranged from 1 month to 71 months.
Intervention:
Placebo taping is defined as the application of tape to the patellar surface without correction of patellar alignment. All studies also included co-interventions given to both the taping and control conditions. The most frequently used “co-intervention” was a form of therapeutic exercise/advice. No trials reported on use of analgesics.
Comparison:
Patellofemoral taping vs. no taping (or placebo taping) control condition. There were 5 small RCTs identified for inclusion. All were assessed as being at high risk of bias. In total, there were data available for 200 participants – all trials were small. Sample sizes ranged from 25-81 – numbers assigned to individual treatment conditions ranged from 10 – 22. Follow-up assessment was conducted at the end of treatment in all trials.
Outcome:
- Pain: patellar taping vs. control (4 studies) – non-significant difference in favour of taping (MD=-0.15; 95% CI -1.15 to 0.85; I2 = 84%).
- Function: patellar taping vs. control (2 studies) – inconclusive findings associated with slightly improved function
