Table 2.
Summary of individual studies
| Study | Study Type (Level of Evidence) | Study Population | Intervention | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whittingham et al17 | RCT (level 1) | 30 Army recruits (17-25 years old) referred for physiotherapy by unit medical officers with a diagnosis of acute PFPS | Group 1: McConnell-type anterior taping applied to affected knee. Daily patellofemoral rehabilitation exercises performed under supervision. Group 2: Placebo McConnell-type patellar taping applied to the affected knee. Daily patellofemoral rehabilitation exercise performed under supervision. Group 3: Exercise program alone. |
There were statistically significant improvements in pain (VAS) for all groups at 2-, 3-, and 4-week assessments. The group receiving McConnell-type patellar taping and exercises had no pain at 4 weeks. No difference existed between placebo taping + exercise group and the exercise alone group at any time point. |
| Aytar et al2 | Randomized, double-blind study (level 1) | 22 patients (24.1 ± 3.2 years) with the diagnosis of PFPS | Group 1: Kinesiotaping. Group 2: Placebo Kinesiotaping (without tension). Both groups underwent outcome measurement assessment before and 45 minutes after tape application. |
There were no significant differences between groups regarding intensity of pain (VAS) after application of the Kinesiotape. |
| Clark et al4 | RCT (level 1) | 81 subjects (16-40 years old) with anterior knee pain | Group 1: Exercise, McConnell-type patellar taping, and education. Group 2: Exercise and education. Group 3: McConnell-type patellar taping and education. Group 4: Education alone. |
All groups showed significant improvements in pain (VAS) scores; however, these improvements did not vary significantly between the 4 groups at 3 months and 1 year. |
| Crossley et al5 | Randomized, double-blind study (level 1) | 71 subjects (14-40 years old) with diagnosis of PFPS | Group 1: Standardized physical therapy protocol including McConnell-type patellar taping. Group 2: Sham ultrasound and placebo McConnell-type patellar taping (without tension). |
The physical therapy group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in pain scores (VAS) for mean pain and worst pain than did the placebo group at 6 weeks. |
| Akbas et al1 | RCT (level 1) | 31 women (17-50 years old) with the diagnosis of PFPS | Group 1: Kinesiotaping plus muscle strengthening and soft tissue stretching. Group 2: No taping. Muscle strengthening and soft tissue stretching. |
At 6 weeks, significant improvements were found for pain (VAS) in both groups at rest and with activities. There were no significant differences between groups. |
PFPS, patellofemoral pain syndrome; RCT, randomized controlled trial; VAS, visual analog scale.