Clinical Observation Of Treating Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy (Wind-Cold-Dampness Type) With Six-Step Massage Combined With Guizhi And Gegen Decociton

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and superiority of combining the six-step massage with Guizhi and Gegen decoction in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(CSR)of the wind-cold-dampness type,so as to provide a theoretical and practical basis for the clinical treatment of this disease.Methods: Ninety patients with wind-cold-dampness type CSR were selected from the Second Department of Bone Injury at the Qinhuangdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between July 2021 and November2022,based on strict diagnostic,inclusion,and exclusion criteria.They were randomized into two groups,a control group and a treatment group,using a random number table method.Both groups were administered Guizhi and Gegen decoction orally.Based on this,the control group received routine massage,while the treatment group received the six-step massage.Each group consisted of 45 patients,and the treatment lasted for 2 weeks.Before and after treatment,two groups were observed and their Short-Form of McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF-MPQ)score,Neck Disability Index(NDI)score,and cervical spondylosis efficacy score were recorded.Treatment efficacy was evaluated based on the objective indicator of the cervical spondylosis efficacy score before and after treatment.SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the obtained data and evaluate the clinical treatment of both groups.Results:(1)Baseline comparisons before treatment:(1)There were no statistically significant differences(P>0.05)between the two patient groups in terms of general information,including age,gender,and duration of illness.(2)There were also no statistically significant differences(P>0.05)in various efficacy observation indicators before treatment,such as the total score and sub-scores(PRI,VAS,PPI scores)of the SF-MPQ,Neck Disability Index(NDI)score,and cervical spondylosis efficacy score.This indicates that the baseline characteristics of the two groups were consistent and comparable.(2)Intra-group and inter-group comparison after treatment:(1)After treatment,both groups showed a decrease in the total score and sub-scores(PRI,VAS,PPI scores)of the SF-MPQ(P<0.05),and the treatment group exhibited better scores than the control group(P<0.05).(2)The NDI score of both groups decreased after treatment(P<0.05),and the score of the treatment group was better than that of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).(3)The cervical spondylosis efficacy score of both groups decreased after treatment(P<0.05),and the score of the treatment group was better than that of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).(4)The total effective rate after treatment was 90.1% in the control group and 95.3% in the treatment group.The difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The rate of recovery after treatment was 40.9% in the control group and 65.1% in the treatment group,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion: Based on the application of Guizhi and Gegen decoction to treat wind-cold-dampness type CSR,both the six-step massage and the conventional massage showed good clinical therapeutic effects and safety.However,the six-step massage was found to be more effective in relieving pain,restoring cervical spine function,and improving symptoms and signs compared to the conventional massage.These results provide reference and selection for clinical treatment of CSR.