Effects of Different Patellofemoral Joint Taping Techniques on Perceived Pain and Knee Neuromuscular Performance in Patellofemoral Joint Dysfunction Patients

Open Access
- Author:
- Boss, Zachary Thomas
- Area of Honors:
- Kinesiology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Sayers John Miller III, Thesis Supervisor
Giampietro Luciano Vairo, Thesis Supervisor
Stephen Jacob Piazza, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- hip taping
knee taping
kinesiotape
kinesio-tape
patellofemoral
SEBT - Abstract:
- ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT TAPING TECHNIQUES ON PERCEIVED PAIN AND KNEE NEUROMUSCULAR PERFORMANCE IN PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT DYSFUNCTION PATIENTS Boss ZT*, Vairo GL*, Miller SJ*, Bosha PJ†, Millard RL†, Aukerman DF†, Sebastianeli WJ†: *Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University Park PA; †Penn State Hershey Orthopedics and Sports Medicine – State College, State College PA Objective: To compare pain, neuromuscular activity and dynamic balance in patients diagnosed with unilateral acute patellofemoral dysfunction (PDF) after receiving various therapeutic taping treatments. This research study examined differences among traditional and more contemporary associated therapeutic taping techniques. It was hypothesized that the application of a taping technique to the knee would improve outcome measures. An additional improvement was expected with the application of a hip taping technique. Design and Setting: Therapeutic knee taping condition was the independent variable. Dependent variables included self-reported pain, quadriceps neuromuscular activity and dynamic balance. Participants underwent one bilateral baseline testing and three unilateral taping (McConnell medial glide, Upper Knee Spider™, and Upper Knee Spider™ combined with Hip Spider™) sessions. Forty-eight hours separated sessions. All testing took place in a controlled laboratory. Subjects: Thirteen (4 men and 9 women) participants (age = 21.6 ± 1.1 years, height = 1.70 ± .08 m, mass = 64.22 ± 9.06 kg, Tegner = 6 ± 1.6, Kujala = 82.46 ± 11.69) diagnosed with unilateral acute PFD by a sports medicine physician. Measurement: Self-reported pain as measured by a standard visual analog scale (cm) during execution of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT); SEBT anterior reach distances normalized to non-stance leg-length (%LL); quadriceps surface electromyographic activity normalized to maximum volitional isometric contraction during the SEBT. One-tailed paired t-tests were calculated to determine bilateral baseline differences. In instances of non-normality, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was computed to determine bilateral baseline differences. One-way analyses of variance with Tukey’s post hoc test were calculated to determine statistically significant differences among conditions (baseline, McConnell, Upper Knee Spider™, and Upper Knee Spider™ with Hip Spider™) for the involved leg. P < 0.05 denoted statistical significance. Results: Pain was significantly greater in the involved leg (median = 2.0) compared to uninvolved leg (median = 0.0) at baseline (95.4% CI = 1.5, 2.6). Pain decreased with tape when compared to baseline (no tape: 2.0 ± 0.9 cm; McConnell: 0.8 ± 0.7 cm; Upper Knee Spider™: 0.8 ± 1.0 cm; Upper Knee Spider™ combined with Hip Spider™: 0.6 ± 0.5 cm; P = 0.000). All other comparisons were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Therapeutic taping techniques decrease perceived pain in patients with unilateral acute PFD when compared to no tape. However, there appears to be a lack of differences among techniques. These outcomes suggest further research is warranted to determine the efficacy of such interventions. Word Count: 400.