Review Article

Chuna (or Tuina) Manual Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 2

Effect estimates of C(T)MT for pain and function on musculoskeletal conditions.

OutcomesNumber of Number of patientsEffect estimate 95% CIP value (%)

Pain intensity (VAS or NRS)
C(T)MT versus sham1 [40]69SMD −3.09 [−3.59, −2.59]NA
C(T)MT versus traction9 [44, 46, 4951, 60, 6365]829SMD −0.64 [−0.87, −0.40]61
C(T)MT versus physical therapy3 [5, 69, 80]214WMD −0.97 [−1.46, −0.48]32
C(T)MT versus drug5 [42, 43, 67, 71, 85]848WMD −0.44 [−0.85, −0.02]77
C(T)MT + traction versus traction3 [89, 91, 93]190WMD −1.08 [−1.81, −0.35]95
C(T)MT + drug versus drug6 [90, 92, 9699]442WMD −0.99 [−1.70, −0.28]91
C(T)MT + surgery versus surgery2 [94, 95]92WMD −0.47 [−1.60, 0.66]90

Neck function (NDI)
C(T)MT versus traction3 [50, 60, 61]226SMD −1.45 [−2.92, 0.02]96

Low back function (ODI)
C(T)MT + drug versus drug3 [90, 92, 96]184SMD −1.79 96

Shoulder pain and function (CMS)
C(T)MT versus surgery2 [75, 76]158WMD 3.33 99

Complication
C(T)MT versus surgery5 [76, 78, 79, 86, 87]384 RR 0.45 [0.26, 0.76]0

ref: reference; CMS: Constant-Murley score; C(T)MT: Chuna (or Tuina) manual therapy; NA: not applicable; NDI: neck disability index; ODI: Oswestry disability index; RR: relative risk; SMD: standard mean difference; VAS: visual analogue scale; WMD: weight mean difference.