The effects of progressive neuromuscular exercise program and taping on muscle strength and pain in patellofemoral pain. A randomized controlled blind study.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of corrective kinesio taping applied on patellofemoral and foot joint in addition to a progressive neuromuscular exercise program in women with Patellofemoral Pain (PFP) on knee pain and muscle strength.

Methods: Thirty females (20-45 years), diagnosed with unilateral PFP were randomly divided into two groups: the exercise (n = 15) and the exercise and taping (n = 15). Both groups performed three-stage progressive neuromuscular exercises for 12 weeks as home exercises. Plantar and knee corrective taping was additionally applied to the exercise and taping group. The knee pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during stair ascending and descending. Isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate the isokinetic muscle strength of the hamstring and quadriceps femoris muscles. All assessments were conducted before the treatment, at the end of the 6th-week treatment, and at the end of the 12th week of the treatment.

Results: After intervention, pain, and muscles peak torque were improved in all groups (p ˂ 0.05). The decrease in pain and the increase in quadriceps and hamstring muscle peak tork were found to be significant for both groups (p < 0.05). In the taping group, the decrease in pain during stair descending and the increase in hamstring muscle tork were higher than that of the exercise group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In order to reduce pain in a short time and control it in the long term, it will be beneficial to tape the knee and foot in addition to neuromuscular exercises.