Patellar taping in the treatment of patellofemoral pain. A prospective randomized study

Am J Sports Med. 1996 Jan-Feb;24(1):61-6. doi: 10.1177/036354659602400111.

Abstract

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of a patellar taping program in the conservative management of patellofemoral pain. Twenty-five patients with patellofemoral pain were randomized into two groups. One group underwent a standard physical therapy program for patellofemoral pain. The other group underwent the same physical therapy program, but use of a patellar taping technique was added to this program. Results of a subjective visual analog scale and changes in isokinetic strength and electromyographic activity of the quadriceps muscle were analyzed. Both the tape and no-tape groups experienced a statistically significant decrease in symptoms (P < 0.05), but no difference in improvement of patellofemoral pain was noted between the groups. Likewise, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in quadriceps muscle isokinetic strength (P < 0.05) and activity (P < 0.001), but no difference in improvement was noted between groups. The results of this study suggest no beneficial effect of adding a patellar taping program to a standard physical therapy program in the conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain. Larger prospective studies are warranted to support this opinion.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bandages*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Femur / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain / rehabilitation
  • Pain Management*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patella / physiopathology*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Prospective Studies