The effect of massage therapy on pain after surgery: A comprehensive meta-analysis

BackgroundFindings on the usefulness of massage therapy (MT) in postoperative pain management are often inconsistent among studies.ObjectivesThis study’s aim is to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to clarify the effects of massage therapy in the treatment of postoperative pain.MethodsThree databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for RCTs published from database inception through January 26, 2021. The primary outcome was pain relief. The quality of RCTs was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. The random-effect model was used to calculate the effect sizes and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 % confidential intervals (CIs) as a summary effect. The heterogeneity test was conducted through I². Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Possible publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of funnel plot asymmetry.ResultsThe analysis included 33 RCTs and showed that MT is effective in reducing postoperative pain (SMD, −1.32; 95 % CI, −2.01 to −0.63; p = 0.0002; I² = 98.67 %). A similar significant effect was found for both short (immediate assessment) and long terms (assessment performed 4–6 weeks after the MT). Remarkably, we found neither the duration per session nor the dose had an impact on the effect of MT and there seemed to be no difference in the effects of different MT types. In addition, MT seemed to be more effective for adults. Furthermore, MT had better analgesic effects on cesarean section and heart surgery than orthopedic surgery.LimitationsPublication bias is possible due to the inclusion of studies in English only. Additionally, the included studies were extremely heterogeneous. Double-blind research on MT is difficult to implement, and none of the included studies is double-blind. There was some heterogeneity and publication bias in the included studies. In addition, there is no uniform evaluation standard for the operation level of massage practitioners, which may lead to research implementation bias.ConclusionsMT is effective in reducing postoperative pain in both short and long terms.     

Effects of exogenous factors on spatial accuracy in neurosurgery

The study aimed to assess the effect of exogenous factors such as surgeon posture, surgical instrument length, fatigue after a night shift, exercise and caffeine consumption on the spatial accuracy of neurosurgical manipulations. For the evaluation and simulation of neurosurgical manipulations, a testing device developed by the authors was used. The experimental results were compared using nonparametric analysis (Wilcoxon test) and multivariate analysis, which was performed using mixed models. The results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. The study included 11 first-year neurosurgery residents who met the inclusion criteria. Hand support in the sitting position (Wilcoxon test p value = 0.0033), caffeine consumption (p = 0.0058) and the length of the microsurgical instrument (p = 0.0032) had statistically significant influences on the spatial accuracy of surgical manipulations (univariate analysis). The spatial accuracy did not significantly depend on the type of standing position (Wilcoxon test p value = 0.2860), whether the surgeon was standing/sitting (p = 0.1029), fatigue following a night shift (p = 0.3281), or physical exertion prior to surgery (p = 0.2845).When conducting the multivariate analysis, the spatial accuracy significantly depended on the test subject (p < 0.0001), the use of support during the test (p = 0.0001), and the length of the microsurgical instrument (p = 0.0397). To increase the spatial accuracy of microsurgical manipulations, hand support and shorter tools should be used. Caffeine consumption in high doses should also be avoided prior to surgery.     

中药补气活血方离子导入配合穴位按摩治疗糖尿病周围神经病变效果观察

目的:探讨中药离子导入联合穴位按摩应用在糖尿病周围神经病变的临床疗效及应用价值。方法:选取2016年1月至2018年10月西宁市城北区中医院收治的糖尿病周围神经病变210例作为研究对象,按照治疗方案不同分为对照组和观察组,每组105例,对照组给予西医基础治疗,观察组在对照组基础上联合中药离子导入与穴位按摩治疗,比较2组治疗效果。结果:观察组患者治疗总有效率为97.14%显著高于对照组的86.67%,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组治疗后肢体麻木评分(1.53±0.11)分,肢体疼痛评分(1.34±0.12)分,倦怠乏力评分(1.23±0.14)分,手足畏寒评分(1.33±0.14)分;对照组疗后肢体麻木评分(2.06±0.38)分,肢体疼痛评分(1.96±0.34)分,倦怠乏力评分(1.84±0.37)分,手足畏寒评分(1.85±0.32)分,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组治疗后尺神经传导速度(51.68±3.75)m/s,胫神经传导速度(39.96±2.98)m/s,腓总神经传导速度(38.43±2.88)m/s;对照组治疗后尺神经传导速度(45.32±2.86)m/s,胫神经传导速度(37.04±2.41)m/s,腓总神经传导速度(35.06±2.19)m/s,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:中药离子导入联合穴位按摩应用在糖尿病周围神经病变可以提升临床疗效,改善神经传导素,减轻临床症状评分,值得在临床推广应用。     

腹部推拿按摩对产后子宫复旧疗效的观察

目的 研究腹部推拿按摩对产后子宫复旧的疗效。方法 选择2016 年9 月～2019 年3 月我院收治的200 例顺产产妇，根据抽签法将产妇随机分为A、B 两组，每组各100 例。A 组采用腹部推拿按摩的治疗方法，B 组不做特殊处理，使其自然康复。观察至产后42 d，比较两组产妇的产后宫底下降情况、排尿时间、肛门排气时间及恶露干净时间等指标，并比较两组产妇生产1 周后的子宫总复旧率。结果 A 组产妇产后平均宫底高度为（10.07±1.34）cm，低于B 组的（16.37±2.42）cm，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。A 组产妇产后排尿时间（8.65±1.13）h、肛门排气时间（30.16±5.16）h，分别短于B 组的（15.46±1.44）h、（37.90±7.45）h，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。A 组产妇产后恶露干净时间为（12.67±1.64）d，短于B 组的（21.57±2.30）d，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；A 组产妇产后子宫总复旧率为99.00%，高于B 组的85.00%，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 产后对产妇采取腹部推拿按摩治疗，能有效促进子宫收缩、及时排出恶露、防止组织残留，同时可缩短排尿及肛门排气时间、防止尿潴留、减少产后出血，有利于子宫复旧，具有较高的临床价值。     

朱氏一指禅推法联合电针治疗膝骨关节炎临床疗效观察

目的:对比朱氏一指禅推法联合电针与单纯电针治疗膝骨关节炎的疗效差异。方法:将100例入组患者随机分为观察组和对照组,观察治疗前、治疗3周后及治疗后3个月随访VAS评分、WOMAC量表评分及测量膝关节活动度(ROM)。结果:两组患者治疗3周后及治疗后3个月随访,VAS和WOMAC量表评分及膝关节活动度均较治疗前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);VAS评分两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组改善WOMAC量表评分及膝关节活动度均优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);观察组总有效率均优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:朱氏一指禅推法联合电针对膝骨关节炎治疗具有显著作用,尤其在改善关节僵硬、躯体功能障碍及恢复膝关节活动度方面更为明显。     

温针灸联合推拿治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床观察

目的:观察温针灸联合推拿治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效。方法:100例按随机数字表法分为两组各50例。对照组行腰椎牵引治疗,观察组行温针灸联合推拿治疗。结果:观察组总有效率、JOA评分高于对照组(P<0.05),治疗后VAS评分、IL-1β、IL-8、TNF-α、MMP-3指标低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:温针灸联合推拿治疗腰椎间盘突出症可降低VAS评分及炎症因子水平,提高JOA评分,改善症状及预后。     

The side effects and mother or child related physical harm from massage during pregnancy and the postpartum period: An observational study

IntroductionWomen commonly use massage therapy during pregnancy for pregnancy-related health conditions such as lower back and neck pain; however, there is little to no research related evidence on the side effects or mother or child physical harm of massage during pregnancy and the postnatal period.ObjectivesThis study aims to report on the side effects and mother or child physical harm of massage during pregnancy and the postnatal period.DesignAn observational study methodology.Setting and time frameTwo massage clinics, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne recruited participants from December 2016 to December 2017.InterventionMassage.Main outcome measureSide effects and mother or child physical harm from massage.ResultsOne hundred and one participants were recruited to the study. Two fifths of the participants (n = 32, 40%) experienced one of more post-massage side effects. There were no mother or child physical harm events. Low back pain was the most common condition women sought massage treatment for 34 (33.7.%). A significant benefit (p < 0.001) was seen pre-massage to post-massage and pre-massage to 1-week post massage in decreasing stress, decreasing pain, increasing range of motion and improving sleepDiscussionSimilar to previous research, low back pain was the most common condition that women sought massage treatment for followed by hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and to improve mental health. Ninety-seven percent of the cohort received a full body massage including the feet leading credence that ‘massage on the feet during pregnancy is harmful’ is mythic in nature.ConclusionWhile our findings lead credence that massage on the feet during pregnancy is a myth the study was not powered to determine the safety of pregnancy massage and further research is needed. Massage was commonly sought for low back pain with promising benefits in decreased pain and improved range of movement and further research on the effectiveness of massage for low back pain in pregnancy.