International Journal of Clinical Research

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of warm needle acupuncture combined with trigger point massage in the treatment of periarthritis of the shoulder (PAS) in middle-aged and elderly female patients. Methods A study was conducted from July 2024 to July 2025, A total of 50 hospitalized middle-aged and elderly female PAS patients as the study subjects. The patients were divided into two groups (n = 25) using a 1:1 ratio by digital table allocation. The control group received trigger point massage based on the McKenzie method combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) point pressing and kneading, while the study group received warm needle acupuncture in addition to the aforementioned treatment. The observation indicators included pain severity, TCM syndrome score, shoulder joint range of motion, shoulder joint function, quality of life, and adverse reaction incidence. Results The study group demonstrated superior overall efficacy, with a P-value <0.05. Conclusion For middle-aged and elderly female PAS patients, a combined treatment approach (warm needle acupuncture assisted by trigger point massage) is recommended. This intervention not only effectively alleviates pain symptoms and improves shoulder joint range of motion but also enhances quality of life and reduces adverse reaction incidence, making it worthy of promotion.

Warm acupuncture; Trigger point massage; Periarthritis of shoulder in middle-aged and elderly women; Therapeutic efficacy