Comparison of short-term effects of mobilization with movement and Kinesiotaping on pain, function and balance in patellofemoral pain

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effects of Mobilization with movement(MWM) and Kinesiotaping (KT) on patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) respect to pain, function andbalance.Methods: Thirty-Şve female patients diagnosed with unilateral PFP were assigned into 2 groups. The Şrstgroup (n¼ 18) received two techniques of MWM intervention (Straight Leg-Raise with Traction andTibial Gliding) while KT was applied to the other group (n¼ 17). Both groups received 4 sessions oftreatment twice a week for a period of 2 weeks with a 6-week-home exercise program. Pain severity,knee range of motion, hamstringflexibility, and physical performance (10-step stair climbing test, timedup and go test), Kujala Patellofemoral Pain Scoring and Y-Balance test were assessed. These outcomeswere evaluated before the treatment, 45 min after the initial treatment, at the end of the 4-sessiontreatment during 2-week period and 6 weeks later in both groups.Results: Both treatment groups had statistically signiŞcant improvements on pain, function and balance(p< 0.05). Pain at rest (p ¼ 0.008) and the hamstring muscle flexibility (p ¼ 0.027) were demonstratedsigniŞcant improvements in favor of MWM group.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated similar results for both treatment techniques in terms of pain,function and balance. The MWM technique with exercise had a short-term favorable effect on pain at restand hamstring muscleflexibility than the KT technique with exercise in patients with PFP.Level of evidence: Level I, therapeutic study.