OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy between the combined therapy of massage and magnetic-sticking at the auricular points and the simple massage therapy, and conduct the health economics evaluation.

METHODSSeventy-two patients of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomized into a combined therapy group, and a simple massage group, 36 cases in each one. Finally, 35 cases and 34 cases were met the inclusive criteria in the corresponding groups separately. In the combined therapy group, the massage therapy and the magnetic sticking therapy at auricular points were combined in the treatment. Massage therapy was mainly applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Jianjing (GB 21), Jianwaishu (SI 14), Jianyu (LI 15) and Quchi (LI 11). The main auricular points for magnetic sticking pressure were Jingzhui (AH13), Gan (On12) Shen (CO10), Shenmen (TF4), Pizhixia (AT4). In the simple massage group, the simple massage therapy was given, the massage parts and methods were the same as those in the combined therapy group. The treatment was given once every two days, three times a week, for 4 weeks totally. The cervical spondylosis effect scale and the simplified McGill pain questionnaire were adopted to observe the improvements in the clinical symptoms, clinical examination, daily life movement, superficial muscular pain in the neck and the health economics cost in the patients of the two groups. The effect was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe effective rate and the clinical curative rate in the combined therapy group were better than those in the control group [100. 0% (35/35) vs 85. 3% (29/34), 42. 9% (15/35) vs 17. 6% (6/34), both P<0. 05]. The scores of the spontaneous symptoms, clinical examnation, daily life movement and superficialmuscular pain in the neck were improved apparently after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P<0. 001). In terms of the improvements in the spontaneous symptoms, clinical examination total scores and superficial muscular pain in the' neck were more significant in the combined therapy group as compared with those in the simple massage group (P<0. 05, P<0. 01, P<0. 001). The cost at the unit effect in the combined therapy group was lower than that in the simple massage group (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with the simple massage therapy, the massage therapy combined with magnetic sticking therapy at auricular points achieves the better effect and lower cost in health economics.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; economics ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; economics ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; economics ; Male ; Massage ; economics ; Middle Aged ; Radiculopathy ; economics ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; economics ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of tuina combined with auricular point sticking on cervical radiculopathy and evaluate in health economics.
Methods: Using randomized single-blind controlled clinical design, a total of72 cases with cervical radiculopathy were randomly allocated into an observation group or a control group by the ratio of 1:1, 36 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with tuina combined with auricular point sticking, whereas cases in the control group were treated with tuina alone. Then the clinical effects in the two groups were observed and the cost of health economics was evaluated.
Results: The drop-out, recovery, improvement and failure cases, recovery rate and total effective rate in the observation group were 1, 15, 20, 0, 42.9% and 100% respectively, versus 2, 6, 23, 5, 17.6% and 85.3% in the control group, showing significant differences in recovery rate and total effective rate (P<0.05). As for health economics, the cost-effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group.
Conclusion: Compared with tuina alone, tuina combined with auricular point sticking can obtain better effect and lower cost in health economics for cervical radiculopathy.

Objective:To observe the efficacy of traditional Qigong exercise combined with Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)manipulations in treating lower cervical disc herniation(CDH).Methods:A total of 120 CDH patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 60 cases in each group.Patients in both groups were given the same Tuina manipulations.In addition,patients in the observation group practiced traditional Qigong exercise,and those in the control group did conventional neck exercise.After 8 weeks of treatment,the efficacy of the two groups was observed.Follow-up was conducted 3 months after the end of the treatment to record any recurrence.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The improvement in symptom scores was more significant in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05).There was inter-group statistical significance in comparing the cross-sectional area and fatty infiltration of certain cervical muscles(P＜0.05).In addition,the recurrence rate in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:On the basis of the same Tuina manipulation treatment,the efficacy of traditional Qigong exercise in treating CDH is superior to that of conventional neck exercise,with more significant improvements in pain and quality of life and a lower recurrence rate.

BACKGROUND: Inert biomaterials such as metal usually hold poor biocompatibility and weak bonding force, which is against the effect of dental or bone implants. Therefore, how to improve their biocompatibility has become the research hotspot.OBJECTIVE: To prepare collagen-coated titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), and to assess its biocompatibility.METHODS: Ti6Al4V served as the matrix, the 3-amino propyl triethoxy silane (KH550) as the crosslinking agent, and the three-dimensional printed titanium alloy coated by collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅱ was prepared,respectively. The coated materials were co-cultured with mouse preosteoblasts MC-3T3-E1 to evaluate its biocompatibility. The effect of different kinds of collagen on the cell differentiation was compared by differential recognition of surface proteins.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When the N content on the titanium alloy surface (Φ10 cm) was 8.41%, the cladding quantity of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅱ was 0.81 and 0.77 mg, respectively. Compared with the bare titanium alloy, the cell adhered well and distributed extensively on the coated titanium alloy,which showed strong viability and fast proliferation.The cells cultured on collagen type Ⅰ coated materials expressed the proteins associated with matrix synthesis, and those on collagen type Ⅱ coated materials expressed the proteins associated with mineralization. These results clarify that the collagen coating can improve the biocompatibility of titanium alloy, and different types of collagens act on different functional proteins.

The external treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection for children mainly includes Xiangpei therapy, massage therapy, acupoint application therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. Many external treatments were combined, or TCM internal and external treatments were combined, which can help to straighten qi and dispel evil and solidify the surface, harmonize viscera qi and blood, dredge meridians, balance yin and yang, tonify lung, spleen and kidney. The treatments can enhance appetite, improve immunity, and help to promote growth. The treatment can help children with recurrent respiratory tract infection improve disease resistance, reduce the number of attacks, alleviate symptoms, shorten the course of disease and improve outcomes, with few obvious adverse reactions. The compliance of children and the satisfaction of family are high.