A systematic review of the effects of therapeutic taping on patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of patellar taping on pain control, patellar alignment, and neuromuscular control (ie, vastus medialis oblique activation, knee extensor moment, etc) in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, SPORT Discus, PEDro, and CINAHL through December 2004, using the key words patellar taping, therapeutic taping, McConnell taping, taping, chronic injury, patellofemoral pain, and knee.

STUDY SELECTION: Criteria for inclusion criteria were studies that exclusively recruited patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome or anterior knee pain and outcome measures specific to pain reduction, neuromuscular control, and patellar positioning.

DATA EXTRACTION: We identified and reviewed 16 studies with an average PEDro score of 4.25/10. Articles were divided into 3 categories based on primary outcome measures: 4 randomized controlled trials on treatment methods and pain, 9 studies on neuromuscular control, and 3 on patellar positioning.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Although patellar taping seems to reduce pain and improve function in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome during activities of daily living and rehabilitation exercise, strong evidence to identify the underlying mechanisms is still not available.