Effectiveness of kinesio taping on functional outcomes in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients with abnormal patellar tracking

This study aimed to compare quadriceps strength, muscle reaction time, and patient-reported outcomes in PFPS patients with abnormal patellar tracking with and without kinesio taping. Twenty patients with PFPS who applied kinesio taping and 19 who did not were included. Muscle strength and reaction time (acceleration time; AT) were evaluated using an isokinetic device. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Kujala anterior knee pain scale (AKPS). Conservative therapeutic exercises were performed in both groups. In each group, all parameters (quadriceps strength: p  < 0.001, quadriceps AT: p  < 0.001, patient-reported outcomes, including VAS: p  < 0.001, AKPS: p  < 0.001 for taping group; quadriceps strength: p  < 0.001, quadriceps AT: p  < 0.001, patient-reported outcomes, including VAS: p  < 0.001, AKPS: p  < 0.001 for non-taping group), improved after intervention in the symptomatic knees. However, there were no significant differences in quadriceps strength and AT, and patient-reported outcomes in the symptomatic knees between the groups with and without kinesio taping (all p > 0.05). In patients with PFPS with abnormal patellar tracking, the present study shows that kinesio taping seems to be ineffective for quadriceps strength and muscle reaction time, and patient-reported outcomes. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of kinesio taping without conservative therapeutic exercise in PFPS patients with abnormal patellar tracking.