Clinical Study on Modified Taohong Siwu Decoction Plus Wuling Powder Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Bone-Setting Manipulation for Acute Cervical Spon⁃ dylotic Radiculopathy
Abstract: Objective: To observe the clinical effect of modified Taohong Siwu Decoction plus Wuling Powder combined with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) bone-setting manipulation in the treatment of acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy( ACSR) of qi stagnation and blood stasis type. Methods:A total of 70 patients with ACSR of qi stagnation and blood stasis type,treated in the rehabilitation outpatient clinic of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shaoxing Shangyu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from January to December 2024, were selected. They were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group using the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The control group received TCM bone-setting manipulation, while the treatment group additionally received modified Taohong Siwu Decoction plus Wuling Powder. Both groups were treated for three weeks. Changes in TCM syndrome scores, scores of the McGill Pain Questionnaire [Pain Rating Index (PRI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI)], Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, hemorheological indices (whole blood high-shear viscosity,whole blood low-shear viscosity,hematocrit),and levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were observed before and after three weeks of treatment. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated, and the incidence of adverse reactions during treatment was observed. Results: After three weeks of treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Scores for neck movement disorder, neckshoulder pain, neck tenderness, and upper limb numbness decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05),and these four TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of PPI, PRI, VAS, and NDI decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and these four scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P< 0.05). The values of whole blood high-shear viscosity,whole blood low-shear viscosity,hematocrit,and serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05),and these six indices/levels in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions occurred during the treatment period.Conclusion: Modified Taohong Siwu Decoction plus Wuling Powder combined with TCM bone-setting manipulation is effective in treating ACSR of qi stagnation and blood stasis type. It can effectively improve cervical function and relieve pain,and it demonstrates favorable safety. Its mechanism of action may be related to improving hemorheology,promoting local microcirculation,and reducing inflammation.