Effects Of Muscle Taping On Lower Limb Function In Patients With Patellofemoral Pain

Objects :Patellofemoral Pain(PFP)is a common injury to the knee.After the occurrence of PFP,patients show diffuse pain around the patella,and the postural control and proprioception function of the lower limbs are decreased.Studies have shown that Kinesio Taping(KT)has a good effect on improving the lower limb function,but some effects of kinesio taping on PFP have not been proved.In this study,single muscle taping and combined taping were used to investigate the effects of different muscle taping on lower limb functional activities of PFP patients,so as to provide practical guidance for the actual application of KT to PFP.Methods :A total of 56 subjects were recruited,including 28 PFP patients(20 males and 8females,30.43±7.62 years old)and 28 healthy subjects(18 males and 10 females,24.35±3.74 years old).PFP patients and healthy subjects were divided into PFP group and non-PFP group.All subjects were randomly assigned to receive two single muscle taping(medial KT and lateral KT)and one combined muscle taping(brand name of ligation)respectively.There were three treatment methods,and four tests were conducted before taping without muscle ligation and after three muscle ligation,with an interval of seven days.The surface EMG ratio of VMO:VL,Y balance test,one leg standing static balance,proprioception of knee and isometric strength of quadriceps femoris were tested.Results :(1)For surface EMG test : after single taping and combined taping of muscles in the PFP group,the results of single leg squat(F=3.414,p=0.021)and step down test(F=3.545,p=0.017)in the PFP group showed significant changes.In the non-PFP group,there was no significant change in single leg squat and step down test.Post-hoc analysis showed found that the ratio of VMO:VL of medial KT(p=0.034)and medial-lateral KT(p=0.019)was significantly higher in the PFP group when performing single leg squat compared with the status of no KT.In the PFP group,the ratio of VMO:VL of the medial KT(p=0.029)and the medial-lateral KT(p=0.004)was significantly higher than that of the no KT during the step down test.Compared with the non-PFP group,the ratio of VMO:VL in the no KT st ate of single leg squat was significantly lower in the PFP group(t=2.801,p=0.007).Compared with the non-PFP group,the ratio of VMO:VL in the no KT st ate of the step down test movement was significantly lower in the PFP group(t=2.603,p=0.012).(2)For Lower limb dynamic balance: After single taping and combined taping of muscle in the PFP group and the non-PFP group,significant changes were observed in the remaining posterolateral(F=2.958,p=0.036),posteromedial(F=3.661,p=0.015)and comprehensive values(F=2.761,p=0.046),except for the results of the Y balance test in the anterolateral in the PFP group.The Y balance test results of the anterolateral,posterolateral,posteromedial and the comprehensive values in the non-PFP group were not statistically significant.Post-hoc analysis showed found that in the PFP group,the results of posterolateral(p=0.016),posteromedial(p=0.004),and comprehensive values(p=0.012)were significantly improved by the medial-lateral KT compared with the no KT state.In the Y balance test,compared with the non-PFP group,the anterolateral(t=3.541,p=0.001),posterolateral(t=2.391,p=0.02),posteromedial(t=2.862,p=0.006)and comprehensive values(t=3.603,p=0.001)of the PFP group were significantly lower.(3)For one leg standing static balance test: after the single and combined taping of muscles in the PFP group and the non-PFP group,the moving ellipse area of the PFP group during the test showed significant results(F=2.826,p=0.042),while the moving ellipse area,swing distance and swing speed of the non-PFP group did not show statistically significant results during the test.The Post-hoc analysis showed found that the moving ellipse area of the PFP group was reduced in the presence of the medial-lateral KT(p=0.005)compared with the no KT.Compared with the non-PFP group,the moving ellipse area(t=3.028,p=0.004),swing distance(t=3.631,p=0.001)and swing speed(t=3.656,p=0.001)of the PFP group in the no KT state of one leg standing static balance test were significantly improved.(4)For knee proprioception test: the absolute error results of knee joint position sensation reduction at 30°and 60°did not change significantly in PFP patients and healthy subjects after single muscle taping and combined taping.Compared with the non-PFP group,the absolute error value of knee position sensation reduction in the PFP group at 30°(t=3.253,p=0.002)and 60°(t=2.909,p=0.005)was significantly increased in the no KT state of knee proprioception test.(5)For quadriceps isometric strength test: after single taping and combined taping of the muscles in PFP patients and healthy subjects,the isometric strength test results of the quadriceps muscle at 60 ° with the hand muscle strength instrument showed no significant change.Compared with the non-PFP group,the isometric strength of the PFP group(t=3.511,p=0.001)was significantly reduced in the no KT status of quadriceps femoris isometric strength test.Conclusion :(1)The application of muscle taping in a short period of time has a positive effect on the activation level of VMO and VL and the dynamic and static balance of lower limbs in PFP patients.The medial KT with single muscle taping is superior to the lateral KT,and the combined muscle taping is superior to the single taping.(2)There was no significant change in knee proprioception,quadriceps femoris isometric strength and other indexes of PFP patients after applying muscle taping within a short time.(3)Compared with healthy subjects,PFP patients showed imbalance of VMO and VL activation,decreased quadriceps strength,postural control ability and proprioception function.