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NCT Number: NCT07671482

Effects of Kinesio Taping Versus McConnell Taping on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

The primary goal of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) is to evaluate whether Kinesio Taping versus McConnell Taping, when integrated into a standardized hip-knee strengthening and neuromuscular control program, produces significant effects in individuals aged 18-50 with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

The main question it aims to answer is: Does Kinesio Taping compared with McConnell Taping when both combined with a standardized hip-knee exercise program, produce different effects on quadriceps neuromuscular activation (VMO-VL sEMG), pain, functional knee pain, and dynamic knee valgus over a 6 week period intervention?

Participants will be divided into three groups for comparison: the control group will receive a structured hip-knee physical therapy exercise program without any taping intervention, Kinesio Taping group with a standardized exercise program, and a McConnell Taping group with a standardized exercise program.

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Key information

Conditions

Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases PFPS Patellofemoral Disorder Patellofemoral Pain (PFPS) Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Patellofemoral Pain, PFP

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Kinesio Taping and McConnell Taping are commonly used as adjuncts to exercise therapy in the management of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Both techniques have been shown to improve pain and function in the short term; however, evidence directly comparing their long-term effects when combined with a standardized exercise program remains limited. Furthermore, the influence of taping modality on quadriceps muscle activation and lower-limb kinematic patterns during rehabilitation has not been fully established.

Based on this, the investigators hypothesize that both interventions will improve clinical and neuromuscular outcomes.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Anterior or retropatellar pain for a minimum of 3 months during functional activities.
  • 18-50 years of age.
  • Minimum pain of 3/10 on the VAS score.
  • No LL physical therapy in the past 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

  • Meniscal or ligamentous injury
  • Neurological or systemic conditions affecting proprioception, coordination and balance.
  • Spinal referred pain or rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Hip and ankle disorders.

Treatment and study plan

Kinesio Taping

Other

Kinesio Taping will be applied to the patellofemoral joint during a 6-week structured hip-knee exercise program.

Other names: Elastic Kinesio Taping, Kinesiology Taping, K-Tape

McConnell Taping

Other

McConnell Taping will be applied to correct patellar alignment during a 6-week structured hip-knee exercise program.

Other names: Patellar Taping, Non-Elastic Taping

Exercise therapy

Other

A standardized hip-knee strengthening and neuromotor training program will be performed for 6 weeks.

Other names: Exercise

Primary outcomes

  1. VMO and VL Muscle Activation Amplitude

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks).

    Surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitude of the Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO) and Vastus Lateralis (VL) muscles recorded during a standardized single-leg squat task. Higher values indicate greater muscle activation.

  2. VMO/VL Activation Ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks).

    Ratio of VMO to VL electromyographic activity during a standardized single-leg squat task. The ideal VMO/VL ratio should be close or equal to 1; a ratio greater than 1 reflects higher VMO activation, while a ratio less than 1 reflects a greater VL activation.

  3. VMO Onset Timing

    Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention (6 weeks).

    Period from movement initiation to onset of VMO and VL activation, measured using sEMG during a standardized single-leg squat task; measured in ms.

  4. VMO-VL Activation Delay

    Time frame: Baseline to post-intervention (6 weeks).

    Difference in activation onset timing between the VMO and VL muscles during a standardized single-leg squat task, measured using sEMG; measured in ms.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks).

    Task-specific pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst imaginable pain; measured during a standardized single-leg squat, reflecting pain experienced during functional loading.

  2. Functional Knee Pain

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks).

    Knee-related symptoms and functional disability assessed using the Kujala Score (AKPS), ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicating better knee function and lower disability.

  3. Dynamic Knee Valgus

    Time frame: Baseline and post intervention (6 weeks).

    Frontal-plane projection angle in degrees, measured during a standardized single-leg squat to quantify lower-limb movement quality and dynamic knee control under functional load.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ahmed El Melhat, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+201112595022

Mohamad Ibrahim Baayoun, BSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+96181852495

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Kinesio Taping Versus McConnell Taping on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Acronym: PFPS

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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