Tuina in a Frozen Shoulder Rat Model: An Efficient and Reproducible Protocol

J Vis Exp. 2023 Jul 21:(197). doi: 10.3791/65440.

Abstract

Frozen shoulder (FS) is a common condition with no defined optimal therapy. Tuina therapy, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique used to treat FS patients in Chinese hospitals, has demonstrated excellent results, but its mechanisms are not fully understood. Building on a previous study, this work aimed to develop a Tuina protocol for an FS rat model. We randomly divided 20 SD rats into control (C; n = 5), FS model (M; n = 5), FS model Tuina treatment (MT; n = 5), and FS model oral treatment (MO; n = 5) groups. This study used the cast immobilization method to establish the FS rat model. The effect of Tuina and oral dexamethasone on the glenohumeral range of motion (ROM) was evaluated, and the histological findings were assessed. Our study showed that Tuina and oral dexamethasone were able to improve shoulder active ROM and preserve the structure of the capsule, with Tuina therapy proving to be more effective than oral dexamethasone. In conclusion, the Tuina protocol established in this study was highly effective for FS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bursitis* / drug therapy
  • Bursitis* / etiology
  • Bursitis* / therapy
  • Casts, Surgical / adverse effects
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Dexamethasone* / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone* / therapeutic use
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Immobilization / adverse effects
  • Immobilization / methods
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional* / methods
  • Musculoskeletal Manipulations* / methods
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Shoulder Joint*

Substances

  • Dexamethasone
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents