Effect of a combination of Tuina therapy and budesonide inhalation on asthma in children, and its influence on lung function and pro inflammatory f actors

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of a combination of Tuina therapy and budesonide inhalation on pediatric asthma, and its influence on lung function and levels of inflammatory factors. Methods: Eligible 100 asthmatic children admitted to Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, from January 2019 to January 2021 were randomized either to a control group or study group (1:1). The patients in control group were treated with budesonide inhalation, while the study group was given Tuina therapy in combination with budesonide inhalation. Treatment effectiveness, levels of inflammatory factors, immune functions and number of infections were evaluated in the patients. Results: The study group exhibited higher effectiveness profile versus the control group (96 vs 82 %; p < 0.05). After treatment, decreases were observed in the frequency of asthmatic attacks and number of respiratory infections in the two groups, with lower results in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). There were marked decreases in the levels of IgG, TNF-α and IL-8 in both groups, with the study group showing higher reductions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Combined treatment with Tuina and budesonide inhalation decreases the levels of inflammatory factors, regulates immune function, and improves lung function of asthmatic children. Further investigation in a larger population would be required to establish the mechanism and clinical value of this therapy.