title: Effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
  
  
  METHODS
  182 cases of CFS were randomly divided into an experimental group of 91 cases treated by the intelligent-turtle massage, and a control group of 91 cases treated with the conventional massage method. After 2 courses of treatment, the therapeutic effects were statistically analyzed with the accumulated score for the improved clinical symptoms; and the changes of IgA, IgM and IgG were compared in 96 cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between the two groups in the accumulated scores for improvement of the symptoms (P<0.05). A remarkable difference was found in the therapeutic effect. And there was a significant difference in the IgA, IgM and IgG levels between the two groups (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intelligent-turtle massage is an effective therapy for relieving the physical symptoms of CFS, and it may show certain effects on the immune functions.
authors.affiliation: The First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou TCM University, Guangzhou 510405, China.
authors.forename: Ji-hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tie-qu
authors.initials: TQ
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Guo-hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M