Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Clinical Effects of Moxibustion Combined With Tailored Baduanjin Exercise Programs on Early Postoperative Rehabilitation in Lumbar Disc Herniation Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Surgery
Sponsor: Suyun Liu
Summary
This study is a single-center randomized controlled trial, aiming to explore the effect of moxibustion combined with the modified Baduanjin exercise regimen on the early rehabilitation of patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) after minimally invasive surgery. A total of 120 patients were included in the study and randomly divided into the control group (conventional treatment and rehabilitation care), the Baduanjin group (conventional treatment + modified Baduanjin), and the combined intervention group (conventional treatment + Baduanjin + moxibustion). By comparing the visual pain scores (VAS), lumbar function scores (JOA), lumbar range of motion, and anxiety scale (HAMA) changes at 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery, the study evaluated the improvement effect of the integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine rehabilitation plan on postoperative pain relief, functional recovery, and psychological state. The study innovatively integrates the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion for warming and promoting meridians and the low-intensity exercise of the modified Baduanjin, optimizes the difficulty of traditional rehabilitation training, and provides evidence-based basis for improving patient compliance and standardizing postoperative rehabilitation programs.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2025-06-01
Completion Date
2026-12-30
Last Updated
2025-06-11
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Baduanjin
The Baduanjin protocol, based on China's 2003 General Administration of Sport standard, was modified by professional physiotherapists for targeted adaptations, with nurses receiving specialized training. Patients viewed step-by-step instructional clips upon admission alongside a full-length routine video. Standard postoperative rehabilitation was maintained during Weeks 1-2. At Week 3, patients demonstrating adequate wound healing and unimpaired static lumbar muscle contraction performed Baduanjin exercises wearing a lumbar brace, supervised by trained nurses for movement correction. The brace was discontinued after 8 weeks. Modified professional videos with background music were distributed via WeChat/official accounts twice daily (30min/session, 5 days/week) for 13 weeks (total ≥2000min). Duration/frequency adjustments were permitted based on individual recovery and physician recommendations post-intervention.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion was performed at acupoints including Yaoyangguan (GV3), Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25, affected side), Chengfu (BL36), Mingmen (GV4), Weizhong (BL40, affected side), Taixi (KI3), Fuliu (KI7), Zhishi (BL52), Zusanli (ST36), and Ashi points. Using five-year-aged Qizhou mugwort, the patient's treatment areas were fully exposed in a comfortable position. The moxa stick was held 3-4 cm from the skin with intensity adjusted to patient tolerance to prevent burns. The circular moxibustion technique was applied for 3-5 minutes per acupoint until the skin exhibited erythema, perspiration, or mottling, or until the patient experienced warmth, distension, itchiness, or perceived moxa-heat propagation. Treatment commenced at postoperative Week 3 following evaluation of satisfactory wound healing, administered three times weekly for four consecutive weeks.
Conventional intervention
Postoperative Rehabilitation Exercises: Week 1: Ankle Pump Exercises: Start after anesthesia. Slowly rotate/invert, dorsiflex/plantarflex ankles. Hold each position 10-15s. 30 min/set, 6 sets/day, until ambulation. Straight Leg Raising (SLR): Start Day 2, supine. Elevate leg \>30°. Progress from passive to active hold. Hold 5-10s/rep, 10-20 reps/set. 3 sets (morning/noon/night) daily for 15 days. Week 2: Supine hip/knee flexion exercises in bed. Hold each flexion 3-5s. 30-50 reps/set. 2 sets/day. Weeks 3-4: Start back muscle training (e.g., bridge/bird-dog poses). Months 1-3: Gradually increase back exercise frequency/difficulty. Perform flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation wearing a lumbar brace. Intensity/reps based on tolerance.