The effects of two therapeutic patellofemoral taping techniques on strength, endurance, and pain responses

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of taping techniques on clinical measures in patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) patients.DesignCrossover experimental design.SettingControlled laboratory.ParticipantsTwenty physically active PFPS patients.Main outcome measuresIsokinetic strength and endurance, and perceived pain.ResultsBilateral baseline differences existed for strength (involved = 1.8 ± 0.5 Nm/kg; uninvolved = 2.1 ± 0.5 Nm/kg; p = 0.001) and endurance (involved = 35.6 ± 14.0 J/kg; uninvolved = 40.2 ± 12.9 J/kg; p = 0.013). Strength (McConnell = 2.1 ± 0.6 Nm/kg, 95% SCI = (1.1, 4.2); Spider® = 2.1 ± 0.5 Nm/kg, 95% SCI = (0.9, 4.0)) and endurance (McConnell = 42.9 ± 13.8 J/kg, 95% SCI = (2.9, 11.6); Spider® = 42.5 ± 11.0 J/kg, 95% SCI = (2.6, −11.3)) increased when taped compared to baseline. Pain decreased during strength (baseline = 3.0 ± 2.2 cm; McConnell = 1.9 ± 1.7 cm, 95% SCI = (−1.8, −0.4); Spider® = 1.6 ± 2.0 cm, 95% SCI = (−2.0, −0.5)) and endurance (baseline = 2.5 ± 2.0 cm; McConnell = 1.5 ± 1.8 cm, 95% SCI = (−1.6, −0.4); Spider® = 1.1 ± 0.8 cm, 95% SCI = (−1.7, −0.5)) measurements when taped. Differences between taping techniques were insignificant.ConclusionsTaping improved clinical measures in PFPS patients. No differences existed between Spider® and McConnell techniques.