Intracranial large artery embolism due to carotid thrombosis caused by a neck massager:A case report

BACKGROUND There are few reported cases of intracranial large artery embolism due to carotid thrombosis caused by a neck massager.Herein we report such a case.CASE SUMMARY A 49-year-old woman presented with left limb weakness and dysarthria after a history of neck massage for 1 mo.Neurological examination showed left central facial paralysis and left hemiparesis with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 12.Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging in the right parietal and temporal lobes.Computed tomography angiography(CTA)indicated M3 segment embolism of the right middle cerebral artery.Neck CTA revealed thrombosis of the bilateral common carotid arteries.Carotid ultrasound showed thrombosis in the bilateral common carotid arteries(approximately 2 cm below the proximal end of the carotid sinus),and contrast-enhanced ultrasound did not suggest enhancement.No hypertension,diabetes,heart disease,vasculitis,or thrombophilia was found after admission.After 1 wk of treatment with aspirin 200 mg and atorvastatin 40 mg,a carotid ultrasound reexamination showed that the thrombosis had significantly reduced.CONCLUSION Neck massager may cause carotid artery thrombosis.

Champa Trinley, Blind Massager

Champa Trinley was born of a peasant’s family in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, in 1954. Healthy and lovely, the baby brought great joy to the family. But when he was six years old, a serious disease made him blind in both eyes. Despite seeing nothing, Champa learned to do farm work. Every day he worked in the fields like everyone else. Aside from completing what work was assigned him by the production team, he joined the local youth shock brigade and, as a member of the brigade, vied with oth-

Analysis of acupoint massage combined with touch on relieving anxiety and pain in patients with oral implant surgery

BACKGROUND Oral implant surgery is an effective procedure for artificial implants in missing tooth areas under local anesthesia.Because patients under local anesthesia are conscious during this procedure,compared with general anesthesia-related operations,they are more likely to experience negative emotions,such as anxiety and tension.These emotional reactions result in shivering and chills in the limbs,leading to poor doctor-patient cooperation and even avoidance of treatment.In traditional Chinese medicine,it is believed that acupoint massage regulates blood and Qi,dredge menstruation,and relieve pain,which is beneficial for patients’emotional adjustment;however,there are few related clinical studies.AIM To observe the changes in anxiety and pain in patients with oral implant after acupoint massage combined with touch therapy.METHODS One hundred patients undergoing oral implantation in our hospital between May 2020 and May 2023 were randomly divided into control and study groups,according to a random number table,with 50 patients in each group.The control group received routine intervention,and the study group received acupoint massage combined with touch on the basis of the control group.Anxiety[assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale(MDAS)],pain severity,blood pressure,heart rate,and satisfaction were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Before intervention,the difference in MDAS score between the two groups was not significant(P>0.05),while after the intervention,the MDAS scores decreased in both groups compared with those before the intervention(P<0.05);the MDAS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The degree of pain in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Before the intervention,there were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressures or heart rate between the two groups(P>0.05).The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate in the intervention group,during and after the intervention,were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The total degree of satisfaction in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Acupoint massage combined with touch better relieves anxiety and pain in patients undergoing dental implant surgery,improving the perioperative comfort of these patients and ensuring safety and a smooth operation.

Therapeutic effect of manual massage on early postpartum rectus abdominis separation and postpartum depression

BACKGROUND Rectus abdominis separation(DRA)affects pelvic stability and body image.No studies have explored the effects of manual massage on early postpartum DRA and postpartum depression.AIM To analyze the curative effect of massage on early postpartum DRA and its impact on postpartum depression and thus its ability promote the overall psychosomatic rehabilitation of postpartum women.METHODS Data were retrospectively collected on 70 primiparous women with postpartum DRA who underwent rehabilitation at the Postpartum Rehabilitation Center of Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from October 2022 to September 2023.The patients were divided into the Group S(35 cases,biomimetic electrical stimulation treatment)and Group L(35 cases,biomimetic electrical stimulation combined with manual massage treatment).Baseline data,the edinburgh postpartum depression scale(EPDS)score,and the visual analog scale(VAS)scores for rectus abdominis distance,waist circumference,and lower back pain before and after treatment were compared.RESULTS No significant differences were found in the baseline data,rectus abdominis distance,waist circumference,and VAS and EPDS scores between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).After treatment,the distance between rectus abdominis and waist circumference in Group L were significantly smaller than those in Group S(P<0.05).Furthermore,lower back pain(VAS score)and the EPDS score in Group L were significantly lower than those in Group S(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Manual massage can significantly reduce early postpartum DRA,waist circumference,and back pain and improve the patient’s mental state and postpartum depression.

The impact of foot reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in school-aged children undergoing hemodialysis

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in school-aged children receiving hemodialysis.Methods:A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was utilized.Thirty children of ages 6-12 undergoing in-center hemodialysis were recruited.The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Inventory of Fatigue Symptom(IFS)scales were administered at baseline.Participants then received 30 min of foot reflexology massage before hemodialysis sessions 3 days per week for 12 weeks.Posttest administration of the sleep and fatigue scales occurred after the intervention period.Results:Reflexology massage led to significant improvements in sleep quality components,including duration(0%-30%normal sleepers),efficiency(0%-50%>85%),latency(50%-0%>60 min),disturbances,and daytime dysfunction.The mean PSQI score decreased from 18.2 to 9.7(P<0.05).Fatigue severity substantially decreased,with the mean IFS score improving from 105.7 to 64.1(P<0.05).Conclusion:Foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention for reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality in children on hemodialysis,warranting integration into routine care.

Effectiveness of aromatherapy with lavender compared to progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and vital signs in patients under spinal anesthesia:A randomized clinical trial

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil compared to progressive muscle relaxation(PMR)on anxiety and vital signs of patients under spinal anesthesia.Materials and Methods:This clinical trial was conducted on 120 spinal anesthesia candidates who were randomly assigned into three groups of 40 including control,PMR(Jacobsen group),and aromatherapy.The state-trait anxiety inventory was completed on surgery day and 15 min after the end of the intervention by the samples of all three groups,and at the same time as completing the questionnaire,vital signs were also measured and recorded.Results:The mean score of anxiety after intervention was lower than that before the intervention in the aromatherapy group(P<0.001).The mean score of anxiety in the aromatherapy group was significantly lower than that in the Jacobsen group(P<0.001).Moreover,data analysis showed a significant decrease in the mean arterial blood pressure scores of the PMR(P=008)and aromatherapy(P<0.001)groups and a statistically significant increase in the mean heart rate scores in the control group(P=0.002).Conclusion:The use of aromatherapy with lavender is more effective than PMR therapy in reducing the anxiety level of patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.Due to the high level of anxiety and its serious effects on the patient’s hemodynamics,aromatherapy with lavender can be used as an easy and cheap method to reduce anxiety in operation rooms.

Clinical Study of Shentong Zhuyu Decoction Combined with Massage Therapy in the Treatment of Exertional Chronic Lumbar Muscle Strain

[Objectives]To explore the effects of Shentong Zhuyu decoction combined with massage therapy in the treatment of exertional chronic lumbar muscle strain.[Methods]Sixty-four cases of exertional chronic lumbar muscle strain were randomly divided into two groups(32 cases each group).The patients in the control group only took celecoxib capsules,and those in the treatment group additionally took Shentong Zhuyu decoction combined with massage therapy.TCM syndrome score,lumbar function,hemorrheology index and clinical effect were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.[Results]After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of lumbar distension/dull pain,tingling-like lumbago,adverse lateral turn,body weight loss,dark purple tongue,slow or astringent pulse,and Oswestry disability index(ODI)score in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,and the levels of plasma viscosity,red blood cell aggregation index,platelet aggregation rate(PAG)and fibrinogen(Fib)were lower than those in the control group,showing statistical significance(P<0.05).The overall clinical effect distribution of the treatment group was better than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Shentong Zhuyu decoction combined with massage therapy can effectively relieve the symptoms of patients with lumbago and improve the lumbar mobility function and hemorrheology,with obvious therapeutic effects in the treatment of exertional chronic lumbar muscle strain.

Oketani massage with jasmine oil improves breast milk production on postpartum days 1-3

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effect of Oketani massage with jasmine oil on improving breast milk production on days 1-3.Materials and Methods:This preexperimental one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted with 44 eligible respondents,selected using an incidental sampling technique.Oketani massage with jasmine oil was conducted once a day for 3 consecutive days.A total of 44 respondents were selected with incidental sampling.Sufficient breast milk production was observed through the frequency of baby urination in 24 h,the frequency of baby defecation in 24 h,the baby’s weight,and the length of time the baby slept or remained calm after breastfeeding.Results:Results showed that Oketani massage using jasmine oil impacted on increasing breast milk production in postpartum on days 1-3(Z=6.633,P=0.000).The baby’s weight in 3 days was increased after intervention compared with intervention before(2858.25±180.62 g vs.2881.66±180.96 g,t=55.33,P=0.000),the baby’s urination frequency was increased after intervention(4.55±0.50 vs.7.20±0.70,t=17.87,P=0.000),the breastfeeding frequency has decreased(10.27±1.42 vs.8.82±0.82,t=6.94,P=0.000),and the time of baby’s sleeping or calming state has increased(5.14±6.46 h vs.8.48±10.24 h,t=2.11,P=0.041).Conclusion:Oketani massage combined with jasmine oil has been shown to be effective on improving breast milk production on days 1-3.

Nursing Practice for a Case of Acute Left Heart Failure Complicated with Colonic Impaction

Research Background: Heart failure is a type of organic heart disease caused by excessive ventricular load, leading to insufficient myocardial contractility and decreased cardiac output in the body. With the progression of the patient's condition, gastrointestinal dysfunction is frequently complicated. At the same time, the accumulation of feces in the body (colonic impaction) can also increase the burden on the patient’s heart, triggering or exacerbating the occurrence or progression of heart failure. Purpose: this article focuses on the correlation between colonic impaction and heart failure, using the nursing experience of a case of acute left heart failure complicated by colonic impaction as an example, in order to provide clinical evidence for the care of patients with colonic impaction combined with heart failure in the future. Method: By using innovative thinking, the stomach tube is used to replace the enema tube, which is inserted through the anus to reach the end of the colon. By combining acupressure at points such as Zhongwan, Tianzhu, and Guanyuan, it helps promote the elimination of fecal impaction. Conclusion: This case reflects the innovative thinking and adaptability of nurses, providing a new clinical approach for the aggravation of the condition of long-term heart failure patients due to constipation issues. Further research in clinical practice is warranted.

Effect of Mouth Opening Training Stick Combined with Oral Massage on Mouth Opening Difficulty in Head and Neck Cancer Patients after Treatment

Objective: To study the application effect of mouth-opening training sticks combined with oral massage on patients with mouth-opening difficulty after treatment for head and neck cancer. Methods: Using convenient sampling, 60 patients with mouth-opening difficulty after treatment for head and neck cancer admitted to the Oncology Department from February 2022 to October 2023 were selected for a 2-week exercise and nursing program. The patients were divided into a control group (February 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022) and an observation group (December 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023), with 30 patients in each group. The control group underwent routine mouth-opening functional exercises combined with cork for oral support training, while the observation group underwent routine mouth-opening functional exercises combined with oral massage and mouth-opening training sticks for oral support training. The mouth-opening degree, mouth-opening difficulty level, comfort level, compliance, and quality of life were observed in both groups. Results: Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in mouth-opening degree and mouth-opening difficulty level between the two groups (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the mouth-opening degree, mouth-opening difficulty level, oral comfort level, compliance, and QLICP-HN scores in the observation group were all better than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of mouth-opening training sticks and oral massage with mouth-opening functional exercises can effectively improve the degree of mouth-opening difficulty, enhance oral comfort, increase compliance with mouth-opening exercises, and improve quality of life.

Effect of Head Meridian Massage Combined with Auricular Acupoint Plaster on Patients with Insomnia

Objective:To study the effect of head meridian massage combined with auricular acupoint plasters on patients with insomnia.Methods:The sample consisted of 50 cases,and all of them were admitted to Yixing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to December 2023.The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group,with 25 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with a combination of head meridian massage and auricular acupoint plaster while the control group underwent conventional nursing care.The improvement of sleep quality and nursing effect were used as evaluation criteria to compare the clinical effects of the nursing programs.Results:After nursing intervention,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score of the observation group,which was 7.17±1.41 points was lower than that of the control group(9.04±1.96 points),(t=3.8724,P<0.05).The total efficacy was 96.00%for the observation group and 76.00%for the control group(2=4.1528,P<0.05).Conclusion:Head meridian massage combined with auricular acupoint can improve the sleep quality of patients with insomnia.

Heterogeneity of Outcomes Reporting in Trials Evaluating Traditional Chinese Medicine Breast Massage for Stasis Acute Mastitis: A Methodological Review

Objective To systematically analyze the current status of outcomes reporting in clinical trials on treating stasis acute mastitis with Traditional Chinese Medicine breast massage.Methods We searched CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,Sino Med,Pub Med,Web of Science,Embase,Cochrane library,JBI,CINAHL,Psyc INFO,Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal,Clinical Trials Registry,Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry,Center Watch Registry from inception to May 15,2022 to find randomized controlled trials,non-randomized controlled trials,case series and cohort studies which reported the outcomes of stasis acute mastitis managed with Traditional Chinese Medicine breast massage,with search terms of mastitis,acute mastitis,lactation mastitis,puerperal mastitis,breast problem,breast engorgement,milk stasis,blocked ducked,breast pain,breast massage,and acupoint massage.Outcomes and the measurement schemes(measurement methods,timing of assessing outcome,frequency of assessing outcome,measurers)were extracted from the included studies.We used the Management of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children with Cleft Palate(MOMENT)to assess the quality of each study,then categorized outcomes derived from the included studies into different domains according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Arthritis Clinic Trials(OMERACT)Filter 2.1 framework.Results We identified 85 clinical trials,in which 54 different outcomes were reported.A total of 81.2%(69/85)of studies were assessed as medium quality with a mean score of 2.6,and 18.8%(16/85)as low quality with a mean score of 0.9.These outcomes were organized in three core areas.Lump size(89.4%,76/85)was the most frequently reported outcome,followed by breast pain(69.4%,59/85)and milk excretion(68.2%,58/85).Five methods were used to assess lump size and four methods to assess breast pain.Conclusions The outcomes reported in clinical trials regarding stasis acute mastitis treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine breast massage are heterogeneous.Developing a core outcome set to achieve consistent standards for reporting outcomes and modalities for validation of the outcomes is clearly warranted.

Reabsorption of intervertebral disc prolapse after conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine:A case report

BACKGROUND Conservative treatments have been reported to diminish or resolve clinical symptoms of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation(LIDH)within a few weeks.CASE SUMMARY Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the lumbar region of a 25-yearold male diagnosed with LIDH showed prolapse of the L5/S2 disc.The disc extended 1.0 cm beyond the vertebral edge and hung along the posterior vertebral edge.The patient elected a conservative treatment regimen that included traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),acupuncture,and massage.During a follow-up period of more than 12 mo,good improvement in pain was reported without complications.MRI of the lumbar region after 12 mo showed obvious reabsorption of the herniation.CONCLUSION A conservative treatment regimen of TCM,acupuncture,and massage promoted reabsorption of a prolapsed disc.

Analysis of postoperative ocular surface changes and intervention effect after pars plana vitrectomy in meibomian gland dysfunction dry eye patients

AIM:To observe ocular surface changes after phacovitrectomy in patients with mild to moderate meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)-type dry eye and track clinical treatment response using a Keratograph 5M and a Lipi View interferometer.METHODS:Forty cases were randomized into control group A and treatment group B;the latter received meibomian gland treatment 3d before phacovitrectomy and sodium hyaluronate before and after surgery.The average non-invasive tear film break-up time(NITBUTav),first noninvasive tear film break-up time(NITBUTf),non-invasive measured tear meniscus height(NTMH),meibomian gland loss(MGL),lipid layer thickness(LLT)and partial blink rate(PBR)were measured preoperatively and 1wk,1 and 3mo postoperatively.RESULTS:The NITBUTav values of group A at 1wk(4.38±0.47),1mo(6.76±0.70),and 3mo(7.25±0.68)were significantly lower than those of group B(7.45±0.78,10.46±0.97,and 11.31±0.89;P=0.002,0.004,and 0.001,respectively).The NTMH values of group B at 1wk(0.20±0.01)and 1mo(0.22±0.01)were markedly higher than those of group A(0.15±0.01 and 0.15±0.01;P=0.008 and P<0.001,respectively);however,there was no difference at 3mo.The LLT of group B at 3mo[91.5(76.25-100.00)]significantly exceeded that of group A[65.00(54.50-91.25),P=0.017].No obvious intergroup difference was found in MGL or PBR(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Mild to moderate MGD dry eye worsens in the short term after phacovitrectomy.Preoperative cleaning,hot compresses,and meibomian gland massage as well as preoperative and postoperative sodium hyaluronate promote the rapid recovery of tear film stability.

The effect of head and facial massage on sleep condition after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background:Sleep disorders after heart surgery lead to increased heart rate,myocardial oxygen demand,and cause dysrhythmia that worsens heart ischemia.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of head and facial massage on sleep conditions following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.Materials and methods:A randomized controlled trial was performed on 72 patients.They were randomly divided into interventional(n=36)and control groups(n=36).On the third to fifth day after the operation,head and the facial massage were done for 15 min in the intervention group.The patients in the control group received only routine care.Richard Campbell’s Sleep Questionnaire was completed for four consecutive days for each group.Data were analyzed in SPSS V26.Results:Mean scores for sleep conditions before the intervention no statistically significant difference seen between the two groups(P>0.05).After the intervention,there was a statistically significant difference between mean scores for sleep conditions of the interventional and control groups(P<0.001).Also with general estimated equation test compared mean scores for sleep conditions between two groups.That revealed sleep condition total score in the intervention group was more than the control group and the trend of changes over time was statistically significant(P<0.001).Conclusion:Head and facial massage is an effective nursing intervention in improving the sleep condition of patients after coronary artery bypass graft.Due to the fact that head and face massage is an easy method and brings patient satisfaction,it is recommended to use this method as a suitable supplement for drug therapy and postoperative interventions in these patients.

Effect of Acupressure Therapy on Anti-inflammatory Mechanism in Obesity-induced IR Rats

[Objectives] To study the effect of "acupressure therapy" on anti-inflammatory mechanism in obesity-induced IR rats. [Methods] 10 rats were randomly selected and fed with normal diet as blank group, and the remaining 30 rats were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The obesity-induced IR model was induced and divided into two groups: model group and acupressure group. The acupressure group was treated by "acupressure therapy" three times a week for 6 weeks;the model group was taken 3 times at the same time every week, and the supine binding experiment lasted for 10 min for 6 weeks. Morphological observation was carried out before and after the experiment, mainly observing the general conditions and body weight. After the last intervention, the animals were killed and samples were collected. Western Blot method was used to detect the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 protein in adipose tissue of the three groups. [Results] Compared with the blank group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 protein in adipose tissue of the model group increased significantly ( P <0.01);compared with the model group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 protein in adipose tissue of the acupressure group decreased significantly ( P <0.01). [Conclusions] After intervening in the obesity-induced IR rats with acupressure method, the status of insulin resistance in obese rats was improved by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Manual Therapy for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Objective The objective of our study was to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of manual therapy in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD),providing a reference value for clinical decision-making.Method Studies of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)evaluating the efficacy of manual therapy in patients with GERD were searched through Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,ViP China Science and Technology Journal Database,China Biology Medicine Database,PubMed,The Cochrane Library,OviD Medline,and Embase.Two researchers independently reviewed the literature,extracted data,and performed a risk of bias analysis using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool,and conducted meta-analysis analysis and publication bias evaluation,the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation(GRADE)tool 26 was used to rate the caliber of the data in this meta-analysis.Results This study included 11 RCTs.Meta-analysis showed that the manual therapy group had a higher total effective rate(odds ratio[OR]=4.63,95%confidence interval[Cl;3.01,7.14],p<0.00001)and better Reflux Disease Questionnaire scores[weighted mean difference(WMD)=-1.59,95%CI[-2.85,-0.33],p=0.01]than the control group.The subgroup analysis showed significant differences in improving the total effective rate in manual therapy versus Western medicine,manual therapy versus Chinese medicine decoction,manual therapy+Western medicine versus Western medicine,and manual therapy+conventional treatment versus conventional treatment groups.Among the 11 trials,5 reported adverse events,and all RCTs had the possibility of publication bias.Subgroup analysis shows that the differences in age could significantly influence heterogeneity;The GRADE analysis revealed that the overall quality of evidence for all outcome indicators was low and did not support our recommendation for the outcome.Conclusion Manual therapy is more effective than medication therapy alone in relieving GERD symptoms.Furthermore,conventional therapy combined with manual therapy was found to be even more effective.Hence,it is crucial to consider these findings when applying manual therapy to GERD patients to enhance treatment outcomes.Future studies must address issues such as study quality,treatment duration,and generalizability.

Integration of Excellent Chinese Traditional Culture into the Training and Education of Acupuncture and Massage Professionals

By reflecting on the current situation of the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training of acupuncture and massage professionals,this paper aims to carry out the research on the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training and education of acupuncture and massage.The specific implementation path includes early investigation and analysis,establishment of research objectives,formulation of teaching strategies,means and methods,empirical research on the process of teaching practice,teaching measurement and evaluation,and so on.Finally,it summarizes the connotation of the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training of acupuncture and massage professionals,in order to provide new ideas and methods for the integration of excellent Chinese traditional culture into the training and education of acupuncture and massage professionals.

Operating procedures of traditional Chinese medicine breast massage

Traditional Chinese medicine breast massage,also known as breast Tuina or manual expression of breast milk,is a technique of using certain manipulations to act on specific positions or acupoints of the breast to promote blood and lymphatic circulation of breast and facilitate the discharge of stagnant milk.This technique is widely used in China to treat breastfeeding problems such as breast engorgement,mastitis,and postpartum hypogalactia.In this article,we introduce the definition and standardization process of breast massage,elaborate the operating procedures of breast massage in detail,and summarize and discuss the current situation of its clinical application,so as to provide a reference for its wide application and in‑depth research.

Effect of Zangfu ointment and massage therapy on functional constipation:a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction:Functional Constipation(FC)is a type of functional bowel disease that is in Clinically characterized by dysportia,decreased frequency of bowel movements,or incomplete bowel movements in the absence of irritable bowel syndrome syndrome,at least 6 months before diagnosis,and symptoms within the last 3 months.At present,commonly used drugs include enema and suppositories,laxatives,microecological preparations,gastrointestinal motility drugs and other treatments.However,the effect is limited.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment of FC has advantages.Methods:In this randomized controlled study,244 eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a treatment group(Zangfu ointment and massage therapy+Lactulose Oral Liquid)and a control group(Lactulose Oral Liquid)for 14 days.Number of spontaneous defecation per week and First defecation time will be used as primary outcomes,and Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome scores and syndrome scores,PAC-QOL form will be used as secondary outcomes.Blood routine,liver function,and renal function will be used as safety outcomes.The primary and secondary outcomes will be performed at 0th,7th,and 14th day,and the safety outcomes will be performed at 0th and 14th day.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval has been obtained from the Committee on Health Research Ethics of the Fangshan Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing,People's Republic of China(FZY LK-2020-010)on September 18,2020.All patients will be provided oral and written information about the trial before screening.The study results will be disseminated by peer-review publications and conference presentations.Trial registration number:ChiCTR2000038754(registered on April 14,2021).This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial license,which permits others to distribute,remix,adapt,build upon this work non-commercially,and license their derivative works on different terms,provided the original work is properly cited,appropriate credit is given,any changes made indicated,and the use is non-commercial.STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY(1)The efficacy of the Zangfu ointment and massage therapy is evaluated in a randomised,double-blind 2-week clinical trial in FC patients.(2)Form a complete and generalizable regimen for the treatment of FC(Qi stagnation)with the Zangfu ointment and massage therapy.