Does McConnell tapping or the stability through external rotation of the femur (SERF) strap affect rearfoot plantar loading patterns during walking in healthy adults?

Background: Changes in patellofemoral joint biomechanics have the potential to influence function of the lower extremity. McConnell taping has been proposed to reduce pain in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). It is also believed to improve vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, patellofemoral alignment, and stride length. The stability through external rotation of the femur (SERF) strap has been developed to pull the femur externally to stabilise the patellofemoral joint, in order to reduce patellofemoral pain and improve lower limb kinematics. A lack of literature has examined effects of these two treatment methods on plantar pressures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of McConnell taping and the SERF strap on rearfoot plantar loading patterns during walking in healthy adults.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-three participants (12 males and 11 females, age: 26.52±6.4 years) were randomly tested under 3 conditions: 1) no tape, 2) McConnell taping, and 3) SERF strap. Each participant was instructed to walk on a 2 m pressure plate at their own natural pace. Three valid stance phases of the right foot were recorded for each condition. Maximum pressures of medial heel and lateral heel, contact area of medial heel and lateral heel, initial heel contact, foot axis angle, and centre of pressure were collected.

Results: There were significant differences of maximum pressures of lateral heel (p = 0.011) with McConnell taping condition and the SERF strap condition demonstrating higher pressures than the no-tape condition (p = 0.042, p = 0.010 respectively). However, significant differences of other variables were not found.

Conclusion: The differences of maximum pressures of lateral heel between the conditions could be a clinical role for McConnell taping or SERF strap use in reducing rearfoot pronation in individuals with lower extremity problems especially PFPS.