Effects of Kinesio Taping versus McConnell Taping for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Wen-Dien Chang,Chia-Lun Lee,Fu-Chen Chen,Ping-Tung Lai,Hung-Yu Lin

doi:10.1155/2015/471208

Abstract

Objectives. To conduct a systematic review comparing the effects of Kinesio taping with McConnell taping as a method of conservative management of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods. MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE, AMED, and the Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials electronic databases were searched through July 2014. Controlled studies evaluating the effects of Kinesio or McConnell taping in PFPS patients were retrieved. Results. Ninety-one articles were selected from the articles that were retrieved from the databases, and 11 articles were included in the analysis. The methods, evaluations, and results of the articles were collected, and the outcomes of patellar tapings were analyzed. Kinesio taping can reduce pain and increase the muscular flexibility of PFPS patients, and McConnell taping also had effect in pain relief and patellar alignment. Meta-analysis showed small effect in pain reduction and motor function improvement and moderate effect in muscle activity change among PFPS patients using Kinesio taping. Conclusions. Kinesio taping technique used for muscles can relieve pain but cannot change patellar alignment, unlike McConnell taping. Both patellar tapings are used differently for PFPS patients and substantially improve muscle activity, motor function, and quality of life.

Highlights

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee problems, predominantly in women [1]
The results revealed that Kinesio taping reduces PFPS-associated pain but does not change patellar alignment
These study results indicate that McConnell taping corrects patellar alignment and tracking [17] but does not improve the motor function and proprioception of PFPS patients [21, 22]

Summary

Introduction

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee problems, predominantly in women [1]. PFPS is caused by repetitive stress on the musculotendinous structures which surround the knee and is aggravated in athletes by cycling and running [3]. The symptoms often occur in athletes because of increased intra-articular stress on the patellofemoral joint and are often caused by abnormal biomechanics of athletes, during drop landing with the knee valgus [1]. PFPS patient suffers excessive stress on patellofemoral joint in cases of abnormal structures of the lower extremities, such as deteriorated hip rotation control, increased feet pronation, femoral anteversion, and tibial rotation [4, 5]. Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) weakness and VMO and iliotibial band tightness through anatomical correlations to the patella cause lateral force vector and patellofemoral joint stress [6, 7]. An imbalance in muscle activities of VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles leads to lateral patellar tracking

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion