The effects of patellar taping on knee kinetics, kinematics, and vastus lateralis muscle activity during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain

Study Design: Pre- and postintervention repeated measures design. Objective: To determine the effects of patellar taping on knee kinetics, kinematics, and vastus lateralis muscle activity during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Background: Patellar taping is a common treatment technique for individuals with PFP. Specific data on whether patellar taping improves gait variables, however, are limited. Methods and Measures: Ten subjects with a diagnosis of PFP were studied (five men, five mean age, height, and mass were 36.5 +/- 11.1 years, 173.1 +/- 10.3 cm, women). The subjects 70.9 +/- 13.3 kg, respectively. Lower extremity kinematics, ground reaction forces, and vastus lateralis EMG were obtained simultaneously while subjects ascended and descended stairs, under taped and untaped conditions. Knee moments were calculated using inverse dynamics equations. Four 2 x 2 (tape condition x stair condition) ANOVAs for repeated measures were generated for cadence and average stance phase knee extensor moment, knee flexion angle, and EMG. Results: On the average, a 92.6% reduction in pain was observed following the application of tape. Increases in cadence, knee flexion angles, and knee extensor moments were observed the taped condition for both stair ascent and descent; however, no difference in average vastus lateralis EMG was found. Conclusions: Although patellar taping resulted in decreased pain and increased knee extensor moments, knee flexion angles, and cadence during stair ambulation, the vastus lateralis EMG activity level did not change with taping. Based on data from the vastus lateralis, care must be taken if improved gait parameters indicate change in muscle recruitment.