title: Effectiveness and safety of Chinese massage therapy (Tui Na) on post-stroke spasticity: a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese massage therapy (Tui Na) for patients with post-stroke spasticity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, multicenter, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: 1 The Second Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Yu-Jie
authors: YJ
authors: Yang
authors: 2 The Graduate School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: 3 The Rehabilitation Department, The Suzhou Industrial Park Loufeng Hospital, Suzhou, China.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Hou
authors: 4 The Rehabilitation Department, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors: Bao-Yin
authors: BY
authors: Jiang
authors: 5 The Rehabilitation Department, The Taixing Chinese Medicine Hospital, Taixing, China.
authors: Hua-Fei
authors: HF
authors: Pan
authors: 6 The Rehabilitation Department, The Dandong Hospital, Dandong, China.
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: 7 The Rehabilitation Department, The Dayi Chinese Medicine Hospital, Dayi, China.
authors: Da-Yong
authors: DY
authors: Zhong
authors: 1 The Second Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Hai-Ying
authors: HY
authors: Guo
authors: 1 The Second Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.|8 Rehabilitation Center, Hainan Provincial Nongken General Hospital, Hainan, China.
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Zhu
authors: 1 The Second Clinical Medical School, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D016011:Normal Distribution; D061214:Patient Safety; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Chinese massage; Tui Na; post-stroke spasticity; randomized controlled trial