What is the evidence for patellofemoral pain syndrome taping for pain reduction and functional outcomes?
AMSTAR Rating
Summary
Patient Population:
10 randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. With a total of 364 participants (Male=90, Female=274), the average age was 33.25.
Intervention:
All studies included various kinesio taping (KT) techniques and time periods (ranging between immediate, two day, and six week follow ups) for their intervention groups. Seven studies combined KT with routine rehabilitation for these groups.
Comparison:
In seven studies, control groups received routine rehabilitation, while three studies included placebo taping for comparison.
Outcome:
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) score, peak knee extension torque, knee flexion peak torque, knee flexion range of motion (ROM), and knee joint position perception error were used to assess pain and functional outcomes following intervention.
- Seven studies used VAS to measure pain outcomes. KT groups showed a statistically significant reduction in VAS pain scores compared to control groups (MD=-0.58, 95% CI: -1.10 to –0.07, P=0.03). Specifically, the intervention groups showed better VAS score results in activities such as stair ascending (MD=-0.67, 95% CI: -1.29 to -0.05, P = 0.03), and squatting (MD=-1.61, 95% CI: -1.87 to -1.35, P < 0.001) compared to control groups. There was no significant difference between KT and control groups during rest (MD = 0.53, 95% CI: -0.21 to 1.27, P = 0.16) at six weeks, and stair descending (MD=-0.78, 95% CI: -1.90 to 1.35, P = 0.17).
- Six studies used Kujala AKPS scores to measure pain outcomes. KT showed a statistically significant increase in Kujala AKPS scores compared to controls (MD = 2.28, 95% CI: 0.00 to 4.56, P = 0.05).
- Analysis of peak knee extension torque, knee flexion peak torque, knee flexion ROM, and knee joint position error all showed no significant difference between KT and control groups; (SMD = 0.06, 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.52, P = 0.79), (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI: -0.28 to 0.99, P = 0.27), (MD = -0.93, 95% CI: -4.54 to 2.68, P = 0.62), and (MD = -0.48, 95% CI: -1.91 to 0.96, P = 0.51) respectively. These results suggest that KT had insignificant impact on muscle strength, proprioception, and ROM.
Guideline Recommendations
| Source | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Clinical Practice Guidelines (2019) | Level B (Moderate Evidence) of Benefit |
Outcomes Assessed
- Benefit
- Harm
- Inconclusive
Pain
At Rest
With Activity (6 weeks)
Function
Knee extension torque
Knee flexion torque
Squatting
Relevant Clinical Info
Basbug P, Kilic RT, Atay AO, Bayrakcı Tunay V. The effects of progressive neuromuscular exercise program and taping on muscle strength and pain in patellofemoral pain. A randomized controlled blind study. Somatosens Mot Res. 2022 Mar;39(1):39-45. doi: 10.1080/08990220.2021.1987877. Epub 2021 Oct 29. PMID: 34713770.
Basbug et al. (2022) was the most recent RCT included in this meta-analysis and included 30 participants (all females) with an average age of 35.05. Randomly split into two groups, the participants in the first group received exercise as an intervention, while the second group received exercise and taping. Taping included ‘I’ taping for accurate positioning of tissue. Along with patellar taping, the foot was taped to neutralize the subtalar joint. Taping was renewed at the beginning of each week for 6 weeks. Researchers found that both groups experienced decreased VAS pain scores and increased peak torque values at 6 and 12 weeks. They also found that there were statistically significant differences in stair descending pain (SMD = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.53 to −0.05, P = 0.04) and peak torque values (SMD = −0.63, 95% CI: −1.37 to 0.10, P = 0.01) at 6 weeks between the groups, in favour of taping.
Participant Information
of participants
were Female
There were 364 people.
Mean age of 33.25 years.
There were 10 studies used.
