The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 371-378.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.03.003

• Feature Reports:Bone and joint • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Qing Gong′s orthopaedic manipulation for the shoulder on hand-behind-back restriction after rotator cuff repair: A randomised controlled clinical trial

Wanxi DENG1,Abudushalamu ADILIJIANG1,Yingyu HU2,Minli LIANG3,Haiyun CHEN4,Jun LIU5()   

  1. 1.Department of Rehabilitation,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine,Guangzhou 510120,Guangdong,Chin
    a2Hospital Management Office of Southern Medical University,Guangzhou 510515,Guangdong,Chin
    a3Department of Pediatric,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine,Guangzhou 510120,Guangdong,Chin
    a4Department of Orthopedics,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine,Guangzhou 510120,Guangdong,Chin
    a5Department of Orthopedics,Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine),Guangzhou 510095,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2025-10-02 Online:2026-02-10 Published:2026-02-09
  • Contact: Jun LIU E-mail:gzucmliujun@foxmail.com

Abstract:

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Qing Gong′s orthopaedic manipulation (QGOM) for the shoulder on hand-behind-back (HBB) restriction after rotator cuff repair (RCR). Methods Forty-two patients with post-RCR HBB restriction were randomised into two groups (n = 21 each): one performing shoulder exercises (control), and the other receiving thrice-weekly QGOM treatment for 6 weeks (observation). Results At 6 weeks, the median HBB score increased by 5 (2, 6) in the observation group compared to a 2 (2, 2) in the control group (Z = -3.678, P < 0.001). The median visual analogue scale score decreased by 3 (2, 4) in the observation group, while it decreased by 1 (1, 2) (Z = -3.652, P < 0.001) in the control group. The mean Constant?Murley score increased by 28.76 and 15.90 in the observation and control groups, respectively. The difference between the two groups was 12.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.26 ~ 18.45, P < 0.001). At 6 weeks, active forward flexion (Z = -3.663, P < 0.001), abduction (t = -4.579, P < 0.001), extension (Z = -2.281,P = 0.023) and external rotation (t = -2.757, P = 0.009) were significantly greater in the observation group than those in the control group. Shoulder forward flexion and abduction in the observation group increased significantly in the observation group (Z= -2.055, P = 0.041) than those in the control group (Z = -2.450, P = 0.013). The observation group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in forward flexion (Z = -3.059, P = 0.002), abduction (Z = -3.700, P < 0.001), extension (Z = -2.194, P = 0.028), and external rotation (Z = -3.003, P = 0.003). Conclusions QGOM for the shoulder was effective, safe and more beneficial than shoulder exercise alone in improving HBB after RCR.

Key words: rotator cuff repair, post-operative stiffness, manual therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, hand-behind-back movement

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