Objective

2

To observe the clinical efficacy of Ruanshang Lotion combined with tuina therapy in the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis （CMT） in children.

Methods

2

Sixty pediatric patients with CMT who visited the Tuina Department of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group using a random number table， with 30 patients in each group. The control group received One-Finger Push Massage combined with Feng's chiropractic once daily for 10 minutes per session over 8 weeks； they also underwent warm water wet compresses for 10 minutes each time， twice daily （morning and evening）， for 8 weeks. The observation group received One-Finger Push Massage combined with Feng's chiropractic plus Soft Tissue Injury Lotion wet compresses. The lotion was applied once daily for 10 minutes per session， twice daily （morning and evening）， for 8 weeks. The natural cervical tilt angle， sternocleidomastoid muscle （SCM） thickness， active cervical rotation angle， and cranial deformity ［cranial vault asymmetry （CVA）］ were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded.

Results

2

The therapeutic efficacy in the observation group was superior to that in the control group （

Z

=4.617，

P

<

0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in the natural cervical tilt angle， SCM thickness on the affected side， and active cervical rotation angle compared to those before treatment （

P

<

0.05）， with greater improvements in the observation group than in the control group （

P

<

0.05）. Both groups also showed significant reductions in CVA after treatment compared to that before treatment （

P

<

0.05）， but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant

（

P

>

0.05）. No adverse reactions， skin allergies， or unexpected events occurred during the study.

Conclusion

2

Ruanshang Lotion wet compresses combined with tuina therapy can effectively improve CMT symptoms， reduce SCM thickness， and restore cervical spine function in children.