Clin Rehabil. 2017 Jul;31(7):904-912. doi: 10.1177/0269215516663009. Epub 2016 Aug 10.

Effectiveness and safety of Chinese massage therapy (Tui Na) on post-stroke spasticity: a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Yang YJ1, Zhang J2, Hou Y3, Jiang BY4, Pan HF5, Wang J6, Zhong DY7, Guo HY1, Zhu Y1,8, Cheng J1.

1 The Second Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.

2 The Graduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.

3 The Rehabilitation Department, The Suzhou Industrial Park Loufeng Hospital, Suzhou, China.

4 The Rehabilitation Department, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

5 The Rehabilitation Department, The Taixing Chinese Medicine Hospital, Taixing, China.

6 The Rehabilitation Department, The Dandong Hospital, Dandong, China.

7 The Rehabilitation Department, The Dayi Chinese Medicine Hospital, Dayi, China.

8 Rehabilitation Center, Hainan Provincial Nongken General Hospital, Hainan, China.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese massage therapy (Tui Na) for patients with post-stroke spasticity.

DESIGN:

A prospective, multicenter, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial.

SUBJECT:

A total of 90 patients with post-stroke spasticity were randomly assigned to the experimental (Tui Na therapy) group ( n = 45) or control (placebo Tui Na therapy) group ( n = 45).

INTERVENTION:

Participants in the experimental group received Tui Na therapy, while those in the control group received placebo-Tai Na (gentle rubbing) for 20-25 minutes per limb, once per day, five days per week for a total of four weeks. All participants in both groups received conventional rehabilitation.

MAIN MEASURE:

The Modified Ashworth Scale, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and the Modified Barthel Index were used to assess the severity of spasticity, motor function of limbs and activities of daily living, respectively. Assessments were performed at baseline, at four weeks and at three months.

RESULTS:

Tui Na group had a significantly greater reduction in Modified Ashworth Scale in only four muscle groups than the control did (elbow flexors, P = 0.026; wrist flexors, P = 0.005; knee flexors, P = 0.023; knee extensors, P = 0.017). Improvements were sustained at three months follow-up. There was no significant difference between the two groups in Fugl-Meyer Assessment ( P = 0.503) and Modified Barthel Index ( P = 0.544). No adverse reaction was recorded in any of the cases mentioned at all study sites.

CONCLUSIONS:

Tui Na might be a safe and effective treatment to reduce post-stroke spasticity of several muscle groups.

KEYWORDS:

Chinese massage; Tui Na; post-stroke spasticity; randomized controlled trial

PMID:

27512098