Clinical study of Tuina combined with functional training to improve the clinical symptoms and balance function in patients with meniscus injury

Objective To observe the effect of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) combined with functional training in improving clinical symptoms and balance function in patients with meniscus injury. Methods A total of 93 patients with grade I-II meniscus injury were randomly divided into a functional training group, a Tuina group, and a combination group, with 31 cases in each group. The Tuina group received Tuina manipulation. The functional training group underwent functional training under the supervision of physicians. The combination group received Tuina manipulation in addition to the functional training. The treatment course of all three groups was 8 weeks. The clinical symptoms were observed before the intervention and after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions, and the changes in knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and Y-balance test (YBT) were compared. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the total response rate among the three groups after treatment ( P >0.05). The total and subscale KOOS in the three groups were significantly higher than those before treatment after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions ( P <0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the total KOOS between the combination group and the functional training group after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions ( P <0.05); there was a statistically significant difference in the score of daily living ability and sports and recreation function between the two groups after 8 weeks of interventions ( P <0.05). The YBT balance coefficients of the affected and non-affected knees of the three groups were significantly improved after 4 and 8 weeks of interventions ( P <0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference among the groups ( P >0.05). Conclusion Tuina, functional training, and their combination can improve clinical symptoms and balance function in patients with grade I-II meniscus injury. Tuina combined with functional training is significantly effective in improving daily living ability and sports and recreation function.