Primary massage using one-finger twining manipulation for treatment of infantile muscular torticollis

The study objectives were to observe the clinical efficacy of primary massage of twining manipulation with one finger (PMTMOF) versus conventional tuina manipulation for treating muscular torticollis.

A randomized, controlled, single-blind method was employed. Patients received either PMTMOF (experimental group, n = 265) or conventional tuina manipulation (control group, n = 235), once a day, 20 minutes each, for 15 days of treatment. After four treatment courses, sternocleidomastoid muscle morphology and size were detected using two-dimensional ultrasonography; sternocleidomastoid muscle blood flow was monitored by color Doppler ultrasonography; and head-neck deflection and range of motion were used to determine total curative effects.

In the treatment group, 55 patients were cured, 120 patients remarkably responded to the treatment, 75 patients effectively responded, and 15 patients were found to have no response. The total effective response rate to the treatment is 94.34%. In the control group, 15 patients were cured, along with very effective results in 60 patients, effective results in 125 patients, and ineffective results in 35 patients, and the total effective rate is 85.11%. A significant difference in total effective rate was found between experimental and control groups (p < 0.05).

PMTMOF produced more obvious curative treatment effects in infantile muscular torticollis than conventional tuina manipulation and could effectively shorten treatment time and avoid sequelae due to delayed healing.