To Evaluate the Effect of Pediatric Massage Combined with Comprehensive Management on Growth Parameters and Biochemical Indicators in Children with Short Stature.

PURPOSE

To investigated the effect of pediatric massage combined with comprehensive management on height improvement in children with short stature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis included medical records of 80 children diagnosed with short stature, who received treatment at Wuhu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between April 2022 and April 2023. According to the recorded treatment modalities, patients were divided into two groups: the control group received standard comprehensive management (including psychological health guidance, diet, sleep, exercise), while the massage group received additional pediatric syndrome-based massage therapy alongside comprehensive treatment. Relevant clinical indicators-including height, weight, BMI (body mass index), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), BA (bone age), 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), annual growth velocity (GV), TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) symptom scores, as well as cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and growth hormone (GH) levels-were extracted from the medical records and compared between the two groups at baseline and after the recorded treatment period.

RESULTS

When comparing both groups of patients before and after the intervention, significant improvements were observed in height, weight, IGF-1, bone age index (BAI), 25(OH)D levels, GV, and TCM symptom scores (P < 0.05). Notably, the massage group showed significantly greater improvements in height, weight, BAI, IGF-1, and GV compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, massage therapy was associated with a reduction in serum cortisol levels and an increase in LH and GH levels, indicating potential endocrine benefits.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric massage combined with comprehensive management effectively promotes improvements in height, weight, and annual growth velocity (GV) among children with short stature.