The Effects of McConnell Taping on Knee Kinetics
ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY
Synopsis: Patellar taping improved knee extensor moments and knee power in patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome.
Source: Ernst GP, et al. Effect of patellar taping on knee kinetics of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1999;29(11):661-667.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome has long been a challenge for all involved in knee rehabilitation. It is a condition that is relatively common in an active population. Malalignment of the patellofemoral joint is often considered a contributing factor if not a primary cause. To that end, rehabilitation has often included some type of quadriceps strengthening exercises. Theoretically, these exercises have emphasized strengthening of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) in an effort to affect patella tracking. McConnell devised a taping technique that can be used during such exercise (as well as during daily activities) that supposedly realigns the patella. The purpose of this study was to compare maximal knee extensor moment, knee power, and vertical jump height with and without the McConnell taping.
Fourteen females with a mean age of 24 and with a history of patellofemoral pain were recruited for the study. Duration of the pain was from six weeks to 10 years, and all patients had pain that worsened with stairs, squatting, kneeling, or running. All of the subjects were asked to perform a single-leg vertical jump and a lateral step up under four randomized conditions: McConnell tape, placebo tape, no tape, and uninvolved extremity. Data were collected in a motion analysis laboratory using the Vicon Motion Analysis System that included six cameras, a force plate, and computer plus software. All taping was done by the same experienced physical therapist.
Subjects were given warm-up trials and then measurements were taken on three successive trials. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. In addition to the ANOVA, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients were also performed on the measures in order to determine reliability of the measurements. The McConnell taping condition had a significantly greater knee extensor moment and knee power than the other three conditions, including the uninvolved extremity. However, the uninvolved extremity performed a significantly higher vertical jump than the other three conditions.
Comment by Clayton F. Holmes, EdD, PT, ATC
McConnell taping is based on the premise that the tape changes the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint. However, few imaging studies are available that demonstrate an actual change in biomechanics. This study is an attempt to look at patient performance instead of evaluating the theoretical reason for a change in performance. Indeed, this study does demonstrate improved performance with McConnell taping. In addition, the design includes "placebo taping" so variables such as proprioception can supposedly be ruled out as the reason behind increased performance. This study used motion analysis to measure performance. This is a significant step in the right direction for this type of research. Finally, it should be noted that, while this study may be a valiant attempt to rule out some variables, one cannot assume that the reason for the improved performance is a biomechanical change in the patellofemoral joint. In addition, one cannot assume that a change in VMO activity has occurred with the taping, also an assumption that has been difficult to demonstrate. Instead, one can simply say that the performance of the patient changed with the taping.
The results of the current study indicate that:
a. McConnell taping changes the knee biomechanics.
b. McConnell taping may improve performance of patients with patellofemoral pain.
c. McConnell taping increases VMO activity.
d. McConnell taping showed no advantage when compared to the uninvolved extremity.
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