Immediate Effect of Rigid Taping and Patella-Stabilizing Brace on Proprioception, Functionality, and Balance in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial

<b>Background</b>: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that involves various biomechanical factors, including the altered positioning of the patella, weakness of the lower extremity muscles, delayed activation of the vastus medialis muscle, and excessive pronation of the foot. Although the short- and long-term effects of external support among the recommended conservative treatment methods for PFPS have been examined, there remains a lack of consensus regarding their impacts. This study was conducted to investigate the immediate effects of braces and rigid taping applied to control pain on proprioception, functional status, and balance in patients with PFPS, and to compare these outcomes with normative values obtained from healthy individuals. <b>Methods</b>: The study included 18 patients with PFPS and 18 healthy individuals who met the inclusion criteria. Through randomization of the intervention sequence, patients were evaluated under conditions of rigid taping, support, or without any support. Their pain levels before and after the application were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale; their functional status was evaluated with the Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring, the 10-Step Up Test, and the Squat; their balance performance was measured using the Y-Balance Test and the Single Leg Stance Test; and their proprioception was assessed with the Joint Position Sense Test. <b>Results</b>: It has been determined that rigid taping and bracing have similar effects in the immediate management of pain, proprioception, functional status, and balance issues in patients with PFPS. The interventions were observed to bring patients' static balance and proprioception parameters closer to the values seen in healthy individuals. <b>Conclusions</b>: Rigid taping and bracing are both effective interventions in the management of PFPS, offering benefits such as pain relief, prevention of proprioceptive deficits, mitigation of balance impairments, and enhancement of functional outcomes. The selection of the most appropriate modality should be based on the individual patient's characteristics and tolerance levels.