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Effect of patellar strap and sports tape on pain in patellar tendinopathy: A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Vries A.,
Zwerver J.,
Diercks R.,
Tak I.,
Berkel S.,
Cingel R.,
Worp H.,
AkkerScheek I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12556
Subject(s) - medicine , visual analogue scale , placebo , physical therapy , squat , patellar ligament , athletes , tendinopathy , randomized controlled trial , patellar tendon , anesthesia , tendon , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
Numerous athletes with patellar tendinopathy ( PT ) use a patellar strap or sports tape during sports. This study's aim was to investigate the short‐term effect of these orthoses on patellar tendon pain. Participants performed the single‐leg decline squat, vertical jump test, and triple‐hop test under four different conditions (patellar strap, sports tape, placebo, and control). Subsequently, participants practiced sports as usual for 2 weeks; during 1 week, they were assigned to one of the four conditions. Pain was measured with the visual analog scale ( VAS ). In total, 97 athletes with PT [61% male, age 27.0 ( SD 8.1), VISA ‐ P 58.5 ( SD 12.7)] were analyzed. On the single‐leg decline squat, the VAS pain score reduced significantly in the patellar strap (14 mm, P = 0.04) and the sports tape condition (13 mm, P = 0.04), compared with control, but not placebo. A significant decrease in VAS pain during sports was found in the sports tape (7 mm, P = 0.04) and placebo group (6 mm, P = 0.04). The VAS pain score two hours after sports decreased significantly in the patellar strap, sports tape and placebo group (8‐mm, P < 0.001, 10 mm, P = 0.001 and 7 mm, P = 0.03, respectively). This study's findings indicate that an orthosis (including placebo tape) during sports can reduce pain in PT patients in the short term.