Combination of Yaobitong capsules and lumbar oblique pull manipulation for moderate pain in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: a multicenter, randomized, three-arm, parallel-group controlled trial - Summary - MDSpire

Combination of Yaobitong capsules and lumbar oblique pull manipulation for moderate pain in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: a multicenter, randomized, three-arm, parallel-group controlled trial

  • By

  • Guangqi Lu

  • Minghui Zhuang

  • Bin Tang

  • Jirong Zhao

  • Shaofeng Yang

  • Jiayi Guo

  • Ping Wang

  • Yikai Li

  • Shaojun Li

  • Bolai Chen

  • Puwei Yuan

  • Hong Jiang

  • Yusong Jia

  • Bin Shi

  • Xuefeng Guan

  • Yanming Xie

  • Minshan Feng

  • Zhefeng Jin

  • Jinjing Wang

  • Zelong Zhao

  • Jiawen Zhan

  • Xunlu Yin

  • He Yin

  • Ming Chen

  • Kai Sun

  • Xin Chen

  • Jie Yu

  • Liguo Zhu

  • June 26, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining Yaobitong (YBT) capsules with lumbar oblique pull manipulation (LOPM) in patients with lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (LDHR) experiencing moderate pain.

Approach:
  • Study Design: A multicenter, randomized, three-arm, parallel-group controlled trial conducted at 13 tertiary hospitals in China.
  • Participants: 426 LDHR patients aged 18 to 65 with moderate pain (VAS score ≥ 4 to < 7) were randomly assigned to YBT alone, LOPM alone, or a combination of both.
  • Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was change in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) from baseline to week 2; secondary outcomes included leg pain VAS scores, low back pain VAS scores, SF-12, adverse events, and disc resorption rates.
Key Findings:
  • At 2 weeks, mean reduction in ODI was −19.4 for YBT, −19.4 for LOPM, and −21.1 for the combination group.
  • No statistically significant differences in ODI reduction or secondary outcomes between groups at any follow-up time point (all p > 0.05).
  • No safety concerns were observed in any of the groups during the 2-week intervention.
Interpretation:

The combination therapy with YBT and LOPM was not superior to either monotherapy in improving functional disability, pain, or quality of life among LDHR patients with moderate pain.

Limitations:
  • The study only assessed outcomes up to 26 weeks, limiting long-term efficacy evaluation.
  • Participants were restricted to those with moderate pain, which may not generalize to all LDHR patients.
Conclusion:

The combination of YBT and LOPM does not provide additional benefits over monotherapy for LDHR patients with moderate pain.

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