A randomized controlled trial of rotatory reduction manipulation and acupoint massage in the treatment of younger cervical vertigo

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of rotatory reduction manipulation and acupoint massage on blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) in younger cervical vertigo of high velocity,and to observe the difference of clinical therapeutic effect between two manipulations. METHODS: Seventy-six patients who diagnosed as high flow velocity of younger cervical vertigo were randomly divided into rotatory reduction manipulation group (group A, 38 cases)and acupoint massage group (group B, 38 cases). The changes of flow velocity of VBA before and after treatment were observed using transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the therapeutic effects were observed also. RESULTS: The mean flow velocity in left vertebral artery (LVA)and basilar artery (BA)of group B and in BA of group A were significantly decreased as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) 1 week after treatment,and there was significant difference in the change of mean flow velocity in LVA between two groups (P < 0.01). The mean velocity in LVA, right vertebral artery (RVA) and BA were obviously lower than thosfre before treatment in two groups (P < 0.01) 3 weeks after treatment. There was obvious difference in LVA, RVA between two groups (P < 0.01). The therapeutic effect of group B was superior to that of group A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of acupoint massage on flow velocity of VBA was superior to that of rotatory reduction manipulation, and the therapeutic effect of acupoint massage might be better than that of rotatory reduction manipulation in treating younger cervical vertigo of high flow velocity.