The comparison of two taping methods on pain, EMG activity and dynamic balance in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Objectives: Comparision of two muscle taping techniques on the pain, electromyographic activity and dynamic balance in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Design:This is a randomized, blind, clinical trial. Thirty two athletes will be randomly assigned to two groups: Vastus Lateralis (VL) inhibitory taping and Vastus Medialis Obliqus (VMO) facillatory taping technique. Participants: 32 athletes aged 18-40 years old will tak part in the study. Inclusion critria: unilateral anterior or retropatellar knee pain; existance of symptoms for at least 2 month and an average pain level of 3 on visual analog scale. Exclusion critria: history of hip; knee or ankle surgery; a history of patellar dislocation or subluxation; or clinical evidence of meniscal lesion and ligamentous instability. Interventions: Kinesiologic tape will be attached to VL inhibitory group from from tibial tuberosity following VL path, up to 1/3 of the proximal tigh. for VMO facillatory group Kinesiologic tape will be attached from 1/3 of the proximal tigh following VMO path down to tibial tuberosity. Iindividuals in both groups will be assessed for pain, electromyographic activity of vasti in voluntary heel and toe raises and postural balance before and after interventions. Main Outcome Measures: participants will rate the perceived pain level using the 10-cm visual analog scale, electromyographic onset and activity of VMO and VL assesse during heel rise and down, Reach distance that normalize by dividing the distance by the participants’ leg length during star excursion balance test performance.

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences