Shu-Cheng Chen1, Yuen-Shan Ho1, Lorna Kwai-Ping Suen1, Juan Yu2, Wei Tang3, Jin-Feng Jiang4, Xiao-Yong Qu5, Wing-Fai Yeung6. 1. School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 2. Pediatric Tuina Health Care Clinic, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Jinan, China. 3. Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China. 4. Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China. 5. Department of Orthopedics, Changping District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. 6. School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: jerry-wf.yeung@polyu.edu.hk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a musculoskeletal condition occurring in infants and children. This systematic review is conducted to summarize the current evidence on the effects and safety of TCM massage therapy for the treatment of CMT in infants and children. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs on TCM massage for CMT in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE, TCMLARS, ICTRP, CSTJ, CNKI, Wanfang Data, CBM, Taiwan Electronic Periodical Services, and the Index to Taiwan Periodical Literature System. Two reviewers conducted the data collection and analysis separately. Cochrane's collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and GRADEpro was used to assess the overall quality of the evidence. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis with a random-effect model. RESULTS: A systematic review of six RCTs and one quasi-RCT was conducted with a meta-analysis of two of the RCTs. Pooled analysis showed that TCM massage has similar effects to those of stretching therapy on CMT symptoms in terms of effective rate (risk ratio: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.94-1.06; I2 = 0%; P = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that TCM massage therapy is beneficial for treating CMT in infants and children. Further clinical trials with high-quality methodologies need to be conducted.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a musculoskeletal condition occurring in infants and children. This systematic review is conducted to summarize the current evidence on the effects and safety of TCM massage therapy for the treatment of CMT in infants and children. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs on TCM massage for CMT in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE, TCMLARS, ICTRP, CSTJ, CNKI, Wanfang Data, CBM, Taiwan Electronic Periodical Services, and the Index to Taiwan Periodical Literature System. Two reviewers conducted the data collection and analysis separately. Cochrane's collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and GRADEpro was used to assess the overall quality of the evidence. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis with a random-effect model. RESULTS: A systematic review of six RCTs and one quasi-RCT was conducted with a meta-analysis of two of the RCTs. Pooled analysis showed that TCM massage has similar effects to those of stretching therapy on CMT symptoms in terms of effective rate (risk ratio: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.94-1.06; I2 = 0%; P = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that TCM massage therapy is beneficial for treating CMT in infants and children. Further clinical trials with high-quality methodologies need to be conducted.
Keywords:
Complementary therapy; Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT); Meta-analysis; Systematic review; Traditional Chinese medicine; Traditional Chinese medicine massage; Tuina