Clinical Scorecard: Effectiveness of Combining Tuina Therapy with Core Stability Exercises on Lumbar Stability and Patient Outcomes in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Study involves 96 patients randomly allocated to three groups: Tuina, core stability training, or combined intervention.
• Primary outcome is muscle activation ratio of the transversus abdominis assessed by musculoskeletal ultrasound.
• Secondary outcomes include VAS, ODI, JOA score, and SF-36.
• Intervention lasts for 8 weeks with three sessions per week, followed by a 1-month follow-up.
• Objective outcomes assessed by blinded researchers.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of LDH based on clinical presentation and imaging studies.

Management

• Nonsurgical treatments recommended as first-line options, including Tuina therapy and exercise-based rehabilitation.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Monitor patient-reported outcomes and objective measures post-intervention.

Risks

• Potential adverse effects associated with pharmacological therapy.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients with lumbar disc herniation experiencing low back pain and functional impairment.

Tuina therapy may enhance local circulation and reduce inflammation, while core stability training targets neuromuscular function.

Clinical Best Practices

• Utilize a combination of Tuina therapy and core stability training for improved outcomes in LDH.
• Assess both subjective and objective measures to evaluate treatment efficacy.

Related Resources & Content

• International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry