723: Acute Effects of Kinesio Taping on Pain Threshold and Viscoelastic Properties in Patellofemoral Pain

Topic: Experimental (Non-clinical) Human Studies
Subtopic: Pain Category (ICD-11), Chronic primary musculoskeletal pain, Physiotherapy, Quantitative Sensory testing (static and dynamic, e.g., HPT, PPT, CPM, TSP, offset analgesia)

Background and Aims: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting adolescents and young adults, yet its multifaceted etiology remains poorly elucidated (1). While Kinesio Taping (KT) is a prominent therapeutic modality in PFPS management (2), its acute implications for muscle viscoelastic properties (VEP)—including tone, stiffness, and elasticity—and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) warrant further investigation. Consequently, this study quantified the immediate impact of KT on VEP and PPT parameters in young adults with PFPS. By revealing these biomechanical and sensory adjustments, the research provides a critical perspective on the physiological mechanisms underlying KT’s clinical efficacy.

Methods: Twenty-five participants (19–27 years) were allocated into Kinesio Taping (KT, n=15) and sham taping (ST, n=10) groups. The KT group received quadriceps and patellar mechanical correction, while ST served as a placebo. Acute effects were evaluated by comparing baseline measurements with results after 2 hours. Viscoelastic properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity) were quantified via myotonometry (3) at the iliotibial band. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and hyperalgesia (4) were assessed using digital algometry at five anatomical sites. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. This framework ensures precise quantification of biomechanical and sensory changes.

Results: A statistically significant time×group interaction was observed for the PPT measurements of the superior and lateral patella (both p=0.003) and the medial patella (p=0.009). However, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed following either the KT or ST interventions (p>0.05). Simple effects analyses showed a significant increase in lateral patellar PPT in the KT group (p=0.010), whereas significant increases in medial (p=0.047) and superior patellar PPT (p=0.013) were observed in the ST group. No significant time×group interaction was observed for central patellar PPT,contralateral humerus PPT, or all VEP values of the iliotibial band (p>0.05).

Conclusions: In young adults with PFPS, KT failed to demonstrate a superior acute effect on pressure pain sensitivity or muscle VEP relative to ST. While minor intra-group variations in patellar PPT were observed, the lack of significant inter-group divergence suggests these shifts are not intervention-specific. Furthermore, the stability of PPT values at the contralateral humerus indicates that neither KT nor ST effectively modulated systemic pain sensitivity or hyperalgesia. Collectively, these findings imply that KT does not yield clinically meaningful short-term alterations in tissue mechanical properties or nociceptive processing in the PFPS population, challenging its routine application for immediate physiological modulation.

References: 1. Sisk D, Fredericson M. Update of Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management of Patellofemoral Pain. Curr Rev Musculos. Med. 2019 Dec;12(4):534-541. doi: 10.1007/s12178-019
3. Bartholomew C, Edwards L, Lack S. Pressure pain thresholds in adults with patellofemoral pain and patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis: a case-control study. Scand J Pain. 2019 Jun 12;19(4):713-723. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2019-0026.
4. Pazzinatto MF, de Oliveira Silva D, Barton C, Rathleff MS, Briani RV, de Azevedo FM. Female Adults with Patellofemoral Pain Are Characterized by Widespread Hyperalgesia, Which Is Not Affected Immediately by Patellofemoral Joint Loading. Pain Med. 2016 Oct;17(10):1953-1961. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnw068.

Presenting Author: Naime Uluğ
Submitting Author: Naime Ulug

Senior Author: Naime Uluğ

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Sema Nur Aslan: Msc. PT - Atilim University
• Nureddin Berkay Beyazkilic: PT, BSc - Atilim University
• Elvin Tosun: PT, BSc - Atilim University
• Behrad Eren Tuncel: PT, BSc - Hacettepe University
• Bilge Gören: PT, BSc - Hacettepe University
• Doğukan Mete: PT, BSc - Atilim University
• Hakkı Serhat Altın: PT, BSc - AtilimUniversity
• Senem Güner: PT, Prof - Ankara University