Tuina and Baduanjin for chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial and clinical considerations

BACKGROUND: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder that severely compromises lumbar function and diminishes the quality of life among affected individuals. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Tuina and Baduanjin exercises in the management of NLBP. METHODS: This study enrolled patients diagnosed with NLBP who received treatment at our hospital from October 2021 to October 2023. A total of 119 eligible patients were randomly allocated into three groups: Tuina, Baduanjin, and Combined (Tuina + Baduanjin). The primary outcomes were measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) to assess pain intensity, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale to evaluate lumbar function, and the SF-36 scale to determine quality of life (QoL). Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients with NLBP were included in the analysis. The results indicated that both Tuina and Baduanjin interventions were effective in alleviating pain intensity, improving lumbar function, and enhancing QoL in patients with NLBP. The combined intervention group (Tuina + Baduanjin) demonstrated significantly superior therapeutic effects compared to either Tuina or Baduanjin alone. Moreover, at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up evaluations, the combined treatment group maintained more pronounced improvements in pain relief, functional recovery, and QoL compared to the single-intervention groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the integration of Tuina and Baduanjin represents a potentially effective therapeutic approach for managing NLBP, warranting further exploration for broader clinical application. Key messages What is already known on this topic: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition that significantly impairs lumbar function and negatively impacts the quality of life of those affected. The therapeutic effectiveness of Tuina and Baduanjin exercises as interventions for managing NLBP remains unclear. What this study adds: The findings indicate that both Baduanjin and Tuina serve as efficacious non-pharmacological approaches. When employed in combination, they exhibit superior efficacy in mitigating low back pain, augmenting lumbar function, and elevating quality of life. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: Our findings imply that the integration of Baduanjin and Tuina in clinical settings could potentially optimize therapeutic results.