Clinical observation of Tiao Shen Tong Du Tuina in promoting neuropsychological development of premature infants / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the impact of Tiao Shen Tong Du (regulating the mind and unblocking the Governor Vessel) Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) on neuropsychological development of premature infants, discover effective early-stage intervention techniques, and improve the prognosis of premature infants.Methods: A total of 115 eligible premature infants were recruited and divided into a control group of 59 cases and an observation group of 56 cases based on different interventions. The control group received three-month physical therapy (PT) and conventional early-stage intervention, and the observation group received additional Tiao Shen Tong Du Tuina treatment. Before and after treatment and at the one-year follow-up, the Gesell developmental schedule was adopted to evaluate neuropsychological development. Results: After treatment, the gross motor development quotient (DQ) was higher in the observation group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); there were no significant differences in the other four domains between the two groups (P>0.05). At the one-year follow-up, the observation group showed more notable improvements in all five domains' DQs than the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion: Based on conventional intervention, Tiao Shen Tong Du Tuina can significantly improve the gross motor function of premature infants in the short term, alongside valid long-term efficacy for gross motor function, fine motor function, adaptive behaviors, language, and personal-social behaviors.