Does Kinesio taping correct exaggerated dynamic knee valgus? A randomized double blinded sham-controlled trial

Relationship between exacerbating patellofemoral pain and dynamic knee valgus in females with patellofemoral pain after a patellofemoral joint loading protocol: A cross-sectional

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study is to 1) the effect of exacerbating patellofemoral pain (PFP) on dynamic knee valgus (DKV) 2) the relationship between exacerbating PFP and DKV in females with patellofemoral pain.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Sixty women with PFP were recruited from the orthopedic clinics. We evaluated pain intensity and DKV in two conditions without (condition 1) and with (condition 2) PFJ loading during the single-leg squat (SLS) task. The MANOVA test was used to compare pain intensity and DKV angle between the two conditions. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation was used to examine the correlation between pain intensity with DKV angle.

RESULTS

The MANOVA analysis showed that pain intensity (P < 0.000, η2 = 0.623) and DKV angle (P < 0.000, η2 = 0.544) with a medium effect size significantly increased after PFJ loading. Furthermore, an excellent positive correlation was observed between an increase in pain intensity and DKV angle (P < 0.000, r = 0.840).

CONCLUSION

It seems that after the PFJ loading protocol and the subsequent pain exacerbation, the neuromuscular biomechanics of the lower limb are deficits. As a result, the stabilizing muscles activation decreases and increases the lower limb movement in the frontal plane.

The effects of the Posterior X Taping versus augmented feedback on lower-extremity kinematic and muscle activity pattern during unilateral weight-bearing activities in men with tibiofemoral varus malalignment

PURPOSE

Tibiofemoral Varus Malalignment (TFRV) contributes to overuse injuries by altering lower limb biomechanics. Both Posterior X Taping (PXT) and Real Time Feedback (RTF), have each been recommended for subjects with TFRV as they are thought to enhance control of excessive tibiofemoral rotations. This paper evaluates this claim.

METHODS

A total of recreational male 24 athletes with TFRV participated in the current study. Kinematic and electromyography variables of lower extremity were synchronously ​recorded on five consecutive repetitions of the single-legged-squat (SLS) and forward-step-down) FSD) tasks before and after applications of PXT and RTF.

RESULTS

The subjects at post-intervention in RTF group exhibited decreased hip adduction during FSD, and decreased hip adduction and internal rotation during eccentric and concentric phases of the SLS; Additionally, we observed increased gluteus medius activity during eccentric phase of the SLS and FSD tasks. In contrast, subjects at the post-intervention in PXT group exhibited decreased tibiofemoral external rotation and increased ankle external rotation during all the phases of both SLS and FSD tasks.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the PXT and RTF interventions are recommended to immediately improve the functional defects of the subjects with TFRV during SLS and FSD tasks.

Effects of the real-time feedback and knee taping on lower-extremity function during ergometer pedaling in subjects with tibiofemoral varus alignment

BACKGROUND

The effect of the Posterior X Taping (PXT) used for subjects with Tibiofemoral Varus Malalignment (TFRV) aimed to control excessive tibiofemoral rotations is still unclear. Further, it is critical to use evidence-based therapeutic exercises to prevent non-contact injuries, especially in repetitive movements.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the PXT and real-time feedback (RTF) interventions would improve lower extremity functions during the pedaling task in subjects with TFRV.

METHODS

Twenty-four male recreational athletes with TFRV participated in this study; Kinematic and muscle activity were synchronously recorded on ten consecutive pedal cycles during the last 30 s of 2-min pedaling.

RESULTS

The present study indicated that the subjects at the post-intervention of the RTF group exhibited significant decreased hip adduction and internal rotation, significant decreased tibiofemoral external rotation between 144° and 216° of crank angle, significant increased vastus medialis activity between 144° and 288° of crank angle, and significant increased gluteus medius activity between 180° and 144° of crank angle; In contrast, the subjects at the post-intervention of the PXT group exhibited significant decreased tibiofemoral external rotation and increased ankle external rotation at all the crank angles. No between-group differences were observed in pre-and post-intervention.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that the PXT and RTF interventions are recommended to immediately improve the functional defects of the subjects with TFRV during the pedaling task.

The effects of gluteus medius and tibialis anterior kinesio taping on postural control, knee kinematics, and knee proprioception in female athletes with dynamic knee valgus

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Kinesio taping on postural control, kinematics, and knee proprioception in female athletes with dynamic knee valgus (DKV).

DESIGN

a single-blind randomized clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

40 female athletes between the age of 18 and 28 years with DKV in single-leg drop landing (>13°) participated in this study. They were randomly classified into the Kinesio taping (KT) and placebo control (PC) groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All the evaluations and measurements were performed on each subject in the pre-test and post-test stages (with an interval of 72 h). The dynamic balance (Y balance test), proprioception (Knee position sense error), and knee kinematics (flexion and DKV angles) of the subjects were measured, prior and post gluteus medius and tibialis anterior KT.

RESULTS

The results of study demonstrate that the DKV angle and knee position sense error significantly decreased and YBT increased in the KT group from pre-test to post-test (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in knee flexion angle (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicated that KT improves dynamic balance and proprioception and reduces the DKV angle. Therefore, KT is recommended for female athletes with DKV.

The influence of kinesio taping on trunk and lower extremity motions during different landing tasks: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injury

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of a 72-h KT application on trunk and lower extremity kinematics during different landing tasks.

Methods

Twenty-nine competitive male athletes participated in this study. The sum of knee valgus and lateral trunk lean, symmetry index (SI), and peak angles of lateral trunk lean, hip flexion, knee abduction and flexion were assessed for all participants during single-leg drop landing (SLDL), single-leg vertical drop jump (SLVDJ), vertical drop jump (DLVDJ), and double leg forward jump (DLFJ), at baseline and seventy-two hours following KT application.

Results

The KT application resulted in more knee flexion and abduction, sum of knee valgus and lateral trunk lean as compared with the non-KT condition during SLDL (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, there were no differences in SI, maximum angle of the lateral trunk lean during SLDL, SLVDJ, nor hip flexion, knee abduction, and flexion during DLVDJ, and DLFJ tasks (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The research findings suggest that KT after 72-h application may improve knee abduction and sum of knee valgus and lateral trunk lean during SLDL, knee flexion during SLDL and SLVDJ in individuals displaying risky single-leg kinematics. Therefore, KT application may marginally improve high-risk landing kinematics in competitive male athletes.

Level of evidence

Level III.

The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Factors for Neuromuscular Control of the Lower-Extremity: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Scenario: Joint instability is a common condition that often stems from inadequate muscle activation and results in precarious movement patterns. When clinicians attempt to mechanically treat the unstable joint rather than attending to the underlying cause of the instability, patient outcomes may suffer. The use of kinesiology tape (KT) on an unstable joint has been proposed to aid in improving lower-extremity neuromuscular control. Clinical Question: Does KT improve factors of neuromuscular control in an athletic population when compared with no-tape or nonelastic taping techniques? Summary of Key Findings: The current literature was searched, and 5 randomized controlled studies were selected comparing the effects of KT with no-tape or nonelastic taping techniques on lower-extremity neuromuscular control in an athletic population. Primary findings suggest KT is not more effective than no-tape or nonelastic tape conditions at improving lower-extremity neuromuscular control in a healthy population. Clinical Bottom Line: The current evidence suggests that KT is ineffective for improving neuromuscular control at the ankle compared with nonelastic tape or no-tape conditions. KT was also found to be ineffective at improving hip and knee kinematics in healthy runners and cyclists. However, preliminary research has demonstrated improved neuromuscular control in a population displaying excessive knee valgus during a drop jump landing, after the application of KT. Clinicians should be cautious of these conflicting results and apply the best available evidence to their evaluation of the patient's status. Strength of Recommendation: There is grade B evidence that the use of KT on an athletic population does not improve biomechanical measures of ankle stability. There is inconclusive, grade B evidence that KT improves neuromuscular control at the knee in symptomatic populations.

Test-retest reliability and minimum detectable change for various frontal plane projection angles during dynamic tasks

OBJECTIVE

Establish between-day test-retest reliability metrics for 2-dimensional frontal plane projection angles (FPPAs) during the lateral step-down (LSD), single-limb squat (SLS), single-limb landing (SLL), and drop vertical jump (DVJ).

DESIGN

Test-retest reliability study.

SETTING

University laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

20 healthy adults (12 female, age = 23.60 ± 1.93 years old, body mass index = 24.26 ± 2.54 kg/m²) were tested on 2 separate occasions 7-14 days apart.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard errors of the measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) values across the LSD, SLS, SLL, and DVJ for the following body region variables: trunk, trunk on pelvis, pelvis, hip, thigh to vertical, knee, and shank to vertical.

RESULTS

There was moderate-to-substantial between-day test-retest reliability for nearly all body regions across all tasks (ICC = 0.65-0.96). SEM values varied across body regions and tasks (0.9-3.5°). MDCs were variable (2.3-9.8°). Of the body regions, MDCs were largest for the knee and hip. By task, MDCs were lowest for the LSD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified between-day test-retest reliability metrics for 2-dimensional FPPAs across a variety of body regions during commonly assessed clinical tasks. These data allow clinicians and researchers to more confidently assess true change between assessments or over time.