title: The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Anterior Knee Pain Consistent With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Critically Appraised Topic.
abstract: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) occurs in 25% of adolescents and adults and is the leading cause of knee pain in runners. Pain is commonly felt when ascending or descending stairs, deep squatting, kneeling, or running. There is no consensus on the etiology of this condition, but insufficient hip strength, malalignment of the lower extremity, hyperpronation of the foot, and patellar incongruence have been suggested. Common treatments of PFPS include strengthening of quadriceps and hip muscles, McConnell taping, electrical stimulation, and foot orthotics, but effectiveness of these treatments is inconclusive. Kinesio Taping is an alternative taping technique for musculoskeletal injuries including PFPS. Although research suggests that Kinesio Taping decreases pain and improves range of motion for some musculoskeletal injuries, its effectiveness in decreasing pain in patients with PFPS in unknown. Furthermore, Kinesio Taping has not been compared with other taping techniques including McConnell taping. Focused Clinical Question: For patients with anterior knee pain consistent with PFPS, does treatment with Kinesio Taping decrease pain more than McConnell taping or no tape at all?
authors.affiliation: Athletic Dept, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY.
authors.forename: Samantha A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Alison R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Valier
mesh_terms: D055052:Athletic Tape; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome