Effect of Integrative Medicine on Infant with Congenital Muscular Torticollis / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the efficacy of integrative medicine on congenital muscular torticollis. Methods:From October, 2017 to September, 2019, 80 children with congenital muscular torticollis were divided into group 1 (n = 40) and group 2 (n = 40) according to different treatment schemes. Group 1 received comprehensive physiotherapy, including passive stretching, head control training, posture correction and family rehabilitation. Group 2 received Tuina in addition. Before and six months after treatment, the root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyography of bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles in supine neutral position, neck rotation and stretch, and the range of motion of passive neck rotation and lateral flexion, and the angle of head deviation from the midline to the affected side were compared. Results:Before treatment, the RMS of sternocleidomastoid muscle in each position was lower in the affected side than in the healthy side (P < 0.01), and the range of motion of neck when lateral flexion to the healthy side and rotation to the affected side was less than that of the other side (P < 0.01) in both groups; however, no significant difference was found between two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the RMS of EMG of sternocleidomastoid muscle in each position, and the range of motion of neck when lateral flexion to the healthy side and rotation to the affected side improved (|t| > 3.290, P < 0.01) in both groups, and were better in group 2 than in group 1 (t > 2.401, P < 0.05); the angle of head deviation from the midline to the affected side significantly decreaed (t > 15.075, P < 0.001) in both groups, and was significantly less in group 2 than in group 1 (t = -4.971, P < 0.001). Conclusion:Integrative medicine is effective on infant with congenital muscular torticollis, which is superior to comprehensive physiotherapy only.