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An Evidence-Based Practice Approach to the Efficacy of Kinesio Taping for Improving Pain and Quadriceps Performance in Physically-Active Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Patient

Alicia M Montalvo, William E Buckley, Wayne Sebastianelli and Giampietro L Vairo

Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is the most commonly diagnosed musculoskeletal condition in physically active patients. Sports medicine clinicians typically use physical rehabilitation and therapeutic taping techniques to control pain and improve muscular performance in patients with PFPS. Recently, Kinesio Tape (KT) has gained popularity among sports medicine clinicians and athletes for the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders; however, its efficacy in the treatment of most orthopedic conditions, including PFPS, has not been widely investigated. Objective: The purpose of this review was to critique evidence for the efficacy of KT in improving clinical outcomes in PFPS patients. Methods: English-language publications from 2003 to 2013 were surveyed by searching PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and the Cochrane Library databases using the terms Kinesio tape, Kinesio taping, and knee. Studies focused on generally healthy, physically-active individuals with PFPS who had KT applied at the knee were selected. Pain during activity and/or knee extensor performance was the measures of interest. Results: Conflicting results found in studies of varying methodological quality show that KT application does not differ significantly from McConnell medial glide taping technique with regard to pain reduction or knee extensor performance, and that pain may decrease and knee extensor performance may increase with KT application. Conclusions: The best evidence suggests that KT may be used in place of or in conjunction with traditional therapies to resolve pain and improve performance of the knee extensors. Currently, there is limited high level, high quality evidence available.