[Multi-central randomized controlled investigation on the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel for treatment of infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency].

Objective: To make multi-central clinical evaluation of the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel for treatment of infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.

Methods: By using multi-central, randomized and controlled method, 275 cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 137) and a control group (n = 138). The observation group were treated by the massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel, and the control group by routine massage therapy in Tuina Science, a teaching material for college and school of TCM. After treatment for 7 days, their therapeutic effects were compared.

Results: The cured rate was 83.2% in the observation group and 69.6% in the control group with a signifi cant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the former being better than the latter. The mean cured time was (3.22 +/- 1.04) days in the observation group and (4.20 +/- 1.11) days in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), the former being shorter than the latter.

Conclusion: The massage for supplementing qi and removing obstruction in the Governor Vessel has a definite therapeutic effect on infantile diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, with rapid effect.