Effectiveness of Weight-Bearing Exercises with and without Kinesio Taping in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is associated with anterior knee pain and functional limitations. Weight-bearing exercises (WBE) are commonly used to improve lower-limb strength and functional capacity, while Kinesio Taping (KT) may provide additional symptomatic benefits. However, the additional effects of KT when combined with exercise remain uncertain. Objective: To compare the effects of WBE alone and WBE combined with KT (WBE+KT) on pain intensity, knee range of motion (ROM), and functional status in patients with PFPS. Methodology: This randomized clinical trial included 48 participants with PFPS, randomly allocated to WBE (n=24) or WBE+KT (n=24). Both groups received a four-week intervention. Pain, knee flexion ROM, and functional status were assessed using the VAS, universal goniometry, and Kujala Patellofemoral Score, respectively. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests, while between-group differences were examined using independent-samples t-tests and ANCOVA. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in all outcomes (p<0.001). Knee flexion ROM increased from 72.92±16.28° to 95.92±11.91° in WBE and from 75.63±15.90° to 105.42±12.85° in WBE+KT. Pain decreased from 6.92±0.97 to 5.46±1.44 and from 7.50±0.59 to 5.25±0.99, respectively. Kujala scores improved from 61.96±8.54 to 69.71±17.08 and from 69.79±8.34 to 83.13±5.94. Unadjusted comparisons favored WBE+KT for all outcomes, whereas ANCOVA showed no significant adjusted effects for ROM (p=0.369) or pain (p=0.295). Functional outcomes varied by baseline status (interaction p=0.001). Conclusion: Both WBE alone and WBE combined with KT led to improvements in pain, knee flexion ROM, and functional status. Although the combined treatment showed greater improvements in unadjusted comparisons, adjusted analyses did not confirm additional benefits for pain or ROM. Functional outcomes also varied with baseline status, highlighting the need for further research.