Combined trigger point acupuncture knife and traditional Chinese medicine split-tendon massage for shoulder periarthritis: improved function and quality of life.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of combining trigger point acupuncture knife (TPAK) with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) split-tendon massage therapy versus TPAK alone.

Methods: A retrospective study included 237 patients diagnosed with shoulder periarthritis. Of these, 114 patients received only TPAK therapy (TPAK Group), while 123 patients underwent a combination of TPAK and TCM split-tendon massage therapy (TPAK + TCM Group). Shoulder function was assessed using the Constant-Murley Score (CMS) and shoulder range of motion (ROM). Pain levels were evaluated using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Psychological status, sleep quality, and overall quality of life were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, both before and 3 months after treatment.

Results: Both groups showed improvements across all outcomes, with the TPAK + TCM group showing significantly better results than the TPAK group. CMS scores revealed greater improvement in shoulder function and pain relief in the TPAK + TCM group, particularly in affective pain dimensions (P < 0.001). Additionally, the TPAK + TCM group exhibited greater reductions in anxiety and depression, as well as improvements in sleep quality and overall physical and psychological health (all P < 0.05), compared to the TPAK group.

Conclusion: Combining TPAK with TCM split-tendon massage proved more effective than TPAK alone in treating shoulder periarthritis, improving function, reducing pain, enhancing psychological well-being, and improving sleep quality.