Table 3 Studies investigating the efficacy of taping for quadriceps muscle activation in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome
Cowan et al39Cowan et al40Keet et al41
Type of studyRandomised within subject, controlled clinical trialRandomised crossover trialA placebo controlled clinical trial with randomised interventions
GroupsGroup 1—10 PFPS patientsGroup 2—12 asymptomatic controlsGroup 1—10 PFPS patientsGroup 2—12 asymptomatic patientsGroup 1—15 PFPS subjectsGroup 2—20 healthy subjects
Type of tapingSubjects completed task under each of 3 conditions: (1) no tape; (2) placebo tape; (3) therapeutic tape—included medial tilt and glide, anterior tilt, rotation and fat pad unloading. Placebo tape—vertical patellar tapingTask carried out under 3 conditions: (1) therapeutic tape—medial tilt and glide, anterior tilt, rotation and fat pad unloading; (2) placebo tape; (3) no tape conditionEach subject carried out tasks during 3 knee taping conditions: (1) no tape; (2) placebo tape—directly over patella with no glide (neutral); (3) medial glide tape
Outcome measuresEMG onset of VMO and VLEMG amplitude of VMO and VL during concentric phase of stair stepping taskVAS, isokinetic and isometric force output, EMG analysis
ResultsIn PFPS group—therapeutic tape altered temporal characteristics of VMO and VL activation, placebo tape had no effectIn asymptomatic group—no change in EMG onset of VMO and VL with either therapeutic or placebo tapeNo change in amplitude of vasti with either tape condition in either subject groupSignificant decrease in pain in PFPS group with therapeutic tapingIn PFPS group medial taping did not result in a reduction in pain or an increase in Quads forceDecrease in EMG VMO activity in both groups during step test suggests greater efficiency of VMO
Pedro score3/105/104/10

  • EMG, electromyogram; PFPS, patellofemoral pain syndrome; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale; VL, vastus lateralis; VMO, vastus medialis oblique.