Clinical observation on spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage for treating recurrent respiratory tract infection in children with cerebral palsy due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage (tuina) for treating recurrent respiratory tract infection in children with cerebral palsy due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung. Methods A total of 70 children with cerebral palsy who suffered from recurrent respiratory tract infection due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional rehabilitation training, while the observation group was given additional spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage, and the control group additionally took oral Yu Ping Feng granule. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by the total effective rate, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, and serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM and IgG. Results The difference in total effective rate between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in both groups decreased to varying degrees than those before treatment, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P <0.01); the differences in the scores of various TCM symptoms between the two groups were statistically significant (all P <0.05). After treatment, the levels of IgA, IgM and IgG of the children in both groups increased to varying degrees, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P <0.05). The between-group differences in the IgA, IgM and IgG levels after treatment were statistically significant (all P <0.05). Conclusion Spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage can effectively treat recurrent respiratory tract infection due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung in children with cerebral palsy, relieve the clinical symptoms and improve immune function, and thus is worthy of clinical promotion and application.