Effects of Kinesio Taping® on knee function and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome

ObjectiveTo compare the knee performance and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) before and after applying Kinesio Tape® (KT) on vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscle.ParticipantsFifteen participants (10 females, five males) with unilateral PFPS were examined and compared under taped and untaped conditions.InterventionVMO of the involved leg was taped from origin to insertion, with 75% of KT's maximal length tension.Main outcome measuresMaximal eccentric and concentric peak torques of quadriceps were measured at 60 and 180°/s angular velocities by an isokinetic dynamometer. Functional performance and pain were evaluated by functional tests (step-down and bilateral squat) and visual analog scale, respectively.ResultsPaired t-test showed statistically significant increase in VMO peak torque and also repetition of step-down test and bilateral squat after using KT. Pain intensity was also decreased significantly following KT application (p < 0.05).ConclusionsKT application over VMO can decrease pain and improve the functional performance, generally and quadriceps muscle strength, particularly, in athletes with PFPS. However, more research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of this therapeutic procedure.