Effects of Quadriceps Muscle Taping Application on Quadriceps Muscle Strength and Walking Speed in Obese Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

: Obesity is well-known as a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis (OA). In such patients, weak quadriceps muscle and decreased walking speed are commonly found. The study aimed to prove whether taping application on quadriceps muscle in obese patients with knee OA affects quadriceps muscle strength and walking speed. This study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Subjects are overweight or grade-1 obese, knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence 1-3) patients with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of 1-4 who were admitted to our obesity clinic on August-September 2019. One group received aerobic exercise with static cycle and taping on quadriceps muscle, while the other received the same exercise, but with sham taping. Taping was changed regularly 2 times a week for 4 weeks. The pain scale was assessed before, regularly according to tape changed, and at the end of the study. While, quadriceps muscle strength and walking speed were assessed before, at 2 weeks, and the end of the study. The taping group showed significant improvement in pain, muscle strength, and walking speed (p<0.05). Improvement in pain also found in the sham taping group. Taping application on quadriceps muscle improves muscle strength and walking speed in obese patients with knee OA.