EFFECT OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE TAPING ON PAIN REDUCTION, PROPRIOCEPTIVE RESTORATION, AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE IN INDIVIDUALS FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Background
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed to restore mechanical stability following
ACL injury. However, postoperative deficits in proprioception, neuromuscular control, pain, and functional
performance may persist despite successful reconstruction. Proprioceptive taping is a therapeutic intervention
designed to provide continuous tactile and mechanical stimulation around the knee and may enhance sensory feedback
during rehabilitation.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of proprioceptive taping on pain, proprioception, functional performance, and subjective knee
function in individuals following ACL reconstruction.
Methods
A prospective interventional study was conducted among 30 individuals aged 18–40 years who were 6–12 weeks
post-ACL reconstruction. Participants received proprioceptive taping in addition to a standardized physiotherapy
rehabilitation programme for 12 weeks. Proprioception was assessed using the Joint Position Sense test, functional
performance using the Single-Leg Hop Test, subjective knee function using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and
pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale. Assessments were performed at baseline, Week 3, and Week 12.
Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate changes over time, with statistical significance set at p
< 0.05.
Results
Significant improvement was observed in all outcome measures over the 12-week intervention period. Joint Position
Sense error decreased from 5.8 ± 1.2° at baseline to 4.1 ± 1.0° at Week 3 and 2.3 ± 0.8° at Week 12 (p < 0.001).
Single-Leg Hop Test performance increased from 72.4 ± 8.5 cm to 88.6 ± 9.2 cm at Week 3 and 112.3 ± 10.4 cm at
Week 12 (p < 0.001). Lysholm Knee Score improved from 58.2 ± 6.4 to 72.6 ± 7.8 and 90.4 ± 5.2, respectively (p <
0.001). VAS pain scores decreased from 6.4 ± 1.0 at baseline to 3.8 ± 0.9 at Week 3 and 1.6 ± 0.7 at Week 12 (p <
0.001).
Conclusion
Proprioceptive taping combined with structured physiotherapy rehabilitation significantly improved proprioception,
functional performance, subjective knee function, and pain following ACL reconstruction. Proprioceptive taping may
be a useful adjunctive intervention for enhancing sensorimotor recovery during postoperative rehabilitation