The effects of therapeutic patellar taping techniques on lower extremity kinematics during running in individuals with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome

Abstract

The effectiveness of patellar taping techniques for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), including McConnell’s Medial Glide and Mechanical Correction Technique with Tension in the Base, remains controversial, with no research comparing their effectiveness during running. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the aforementioned therapeutic patellar taping techniques on lower extremity kinematics in runners with and without PFPS. Thirty-two individuals volunteered to participate: 20 healthy participants (10 males, 10 females), and 12 participants diagnosed with PFPS (4 males, 8 females). Three taping interventions (McConnell’s Medial Glide taping technique, Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base taping technique, and no tape) were randomized, and lower extremity kinematics and stride characteristics were obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed factorial ANOVAs. Significant taping effects were found for hip and knee flexion angles at initial contact (F (2, 60) = 16.796, p = 0.000, ηp 2 = 0.359; F (2, 60) = 17.274, p = 0.000, ηp 2 = 0.365), and peak hip flexion angles during swing (F (2, 60) = 6.556, p = 0.003, ηp 2 = 0.179). McConnell’s Medial Glide produced more flexion than the Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base (p=0.000; p=0.000; p=0.011) and no tape condition (p=0.000; p=0.000; p=0.031). Similarly, peak knee flexion angles during stance (F (2, 60) = 3.509, p = 0.036, ηp 2 = 0.105) and flight time (F (2, 60) = 5.016, p = 0.010, ηp 2 = 0.143) revealed significant taping effects, with McConnell’s Medial Glide resulting in more flexion and shorter flight times than the no tape condition (p=0.040; p=0.012). Furthermore, a significant taping effect was seen for peak knee flexion angles during swing (F (2, 60) = 4.964, p = 0.010, ηp 2 = 0.142), with the Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base resulting in less flexion than McConnell’s Medial Glide (p=0.042) and no tape condition (p=0.041). While therapeutic taping techniques were found to influence angular displacements and time differently throughout the running gait cycle, McConnell’s Medial Glide was always associated with more hip and knee flexion. Based on the conclusions of this study, it is suggested that tape is better than no tape, with McConnell’s Medial Glide being the best option, since it allowed for more hip and knee flexion at initial contact, as well as shorter flight times during swing.