The effect of eight weeks of Aquatic therapy with patella taping on pain, motor function and unstable balance in women with the patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common knee musculoskeletal disorder in active persons. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three aquatic therapy methods on pain, function and unstable balance in women with PFPS.
In this study, 45 women with PFPS were selected and randomly divided into three groups: aquatic therapy, aquatic therapy with temporary patella taping and aquatic therapy with permanent patella taping. Before and after eight weeks, the factors of pain, function, and balance were assessed by the VAS scale, Kujala questionnaire and the Biodex balance system SD, respectively.
There was no significant difference between the averages of pre-test and post-test of pain, function and balance among the groups. The results of t-test showed significant differences between pre-tests and post-tests of factors in three groups; in this regard, pain reduction (P=0.0001) and increase in function (P=0.0001) were significant in three groups. Unstable balance in the level 4, for the temporary taping group in two directions ((POA=0.0001(, and (PAP=0.0001)) and also balance in the level 8, for the temporary taping group in two directions ((POA=0.0001 (and (PML=0.0001)) showed significant improvement.
It can be concluded that it is not necessary to use patella tapping with aquatic therapy as an additional cost. Only the experts who seek to increase their patient's balance can improve their patients’ unstable balance by temporarily patella taping.