Effects of Kinesiotaping and Mulligan Tapping on PFPS

The aim of this research is to compare the effects of kinesiotaping and mulligan taping on pain, hamstring flexibility, cadence and physical performance of lower limb in patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome according to time duration 24, 48 and 72 hours. Randomized controlled trial done at Riphah International University Rawalpindi campus, Pakistan Railway Hospital and private clinics of twin cities. The sample size was 20. The subjects were divided in two groups, 10 subjects in kinesiotaping group and 10 in mulligan taping group. Study duration was 1 year. Sampling technique applied was non probability convenient sampling technique. Both males and females of 20-35 age bracket having anterior knee pain for more than 2 months and ≥3 pain on NPRS while performing activities i.e. ascending descending stairs, squatting and sitting for extending periods of time were included in study. Tools used in study are NPRS, Kujala pain rating sale, goniometer, active knee extension test, time up and go test.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a frequent musculoskeletal pathology affecting population like adults, teenage boys/girls, military and athletic individuals. It is a probable reason for anterior knee pain in individuals, also known as runner's knee. It is mainly defined as the individuals experience anterior knee pain, including other structural pathology like of patella and retinaculum. There is no related problem of intra articular and peri-patellar impairments. The causes of PFPS includes muscular imbalance of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, maltracking of patella, instability of hip joint and hind most foot eversion. According to literature the PFPS is mostly common in active young population along with that women are more prone to develop this disease condition as compare to males because of their pelvis anatomy. Wider pelvis area in women causes more stress on knees. The reason of knee joint pain in older people is arthritis (age related degenerative changes). KT tapping has elastic properties like skin, stretching 30 % to 40 % stretching lengthwise. KT has water proof qualities and can be applied for 3 to 5 days. By applying KT over the skin of affected muscle or on joint surface, it reduces the pain, improves the circulation by giving positional impulse through skin, and modify interstitial tissue to reduce skin tension. Mulligan introduced a tapping technique called Mulligan tapping along with Mobilization with Movement technique development. Mulligan tape method prevents the positional malalignment in the joint. Tape may be applied for a week or two and not cause any harm along with mobilization Literature review: Anne Hickey et al. conducted a study in Australia in 2016. In this study effects of mulligan knee tapping technique on pain and lower limb biomechanics was determined. The study concluded that the technique successfully reduced the knee pain, decreased hip internal rotation and active gluteal muscles earlier. Leticia Lopes Aguiar et al. conducted a study in which he determines the effect of mulligan concept among ballet dancers. The study concluded that mulligan concept had significant results to improve pain threshold. Samara Alencar Melo et al. in which KT taping effects was determined on pain and muscular performance in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients did a study in 2018. In this RCT, the results showed that KT causes reduction in pain within 72 hours after its application without causing tension around skin. In 2017, Neelam Rehman et al. in Pakistan conducted a study. In this research the immediate effects of KT on pain in athletic population having PFPS was determined. The study concluded that KT had immediate effects in reducing pain and it can be used to treat immediate post injuries in athletic population.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Anterior knee pain which is persisting longer than two months (pain on ascending and/or descending stairs, squatting, sitting for extended periods of time).
* Pain scoring rate on NPRS scale three or more during at least two activities.
* Age between 20 and 35 years.
* Both Male and female.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Meniscus tears, bursitis, patellar tendon, any ligamentous injury, any joint degeneration changes and patellofemoral dislocation and/or frequent subluxation.
* Undergone lower extremity surgery
* Patients having knee pain due to hip, lumbar spine and ankle joints
* Dermatitis and any other skin problem