Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease which is an arthritic condition in which the articular cartilage has begun to erode and become soft and frayed. Current treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and improving functions. Taping of the patella to pull it medially, followed by exercises, has been recently recommended for the treatment of knee OA.

Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study the effect of taping in improving physical performance of OA of knee joint.

Materials and Methods: The research project was conducted after getting clearance from Human Research Ethics Committee of the H M Patel Institution for Education and Research center. In this randomized control trial study, 50 subjects were included from the Outpatient Department of the Physiotherapy, Shree Krishna Hospital. Participants were divided into two groups; there were 25 participants in each group. One group received only exercise and the other group received tapping along with exercise. Outcomes were measured by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) and timed up and go test (TUG).

Results: Data are analyzed by finding P value. And also by correlating between prevalues and postvalues of outcomes measured. There was statistically significant improvement in WOMAC (P < 0.001) as well as TUG (P = 0.058), in the group which includes both taping and exercises. There was statistically significant improvement in WOMAC (P < 0.002) in the group which included only exercises, whereas there was no statistically significant improvement in TUG (P = 0.123).

Conclusion: Taping is effective to improve the functional outcome of the patients with the OA of knee joint.

Key words: Osteoarthritis; Kinesio Tapping; Rehabilitation; Functional Independence; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Knee Pain