Quantitative analysis of the Tuina manipulation parameters based on Ding’s rolling manipulation

BACKGROUND: In the present scenario, there is no unified measurement standard for the five basic requirements of the Tuina manipulation, such as “lasting, uniform, gentle, powerful and penetrating”, and the descriptions that are solely based on the words are difficult to interpret. As a result, a quantitative study of the Tuina manipulation can aid in the development of a unified standard for Tuina manipulation, thereby assisting the transmission and advancement of the Tuina science. OBJECTIVE: Using the Tuina manipulation data gloves and data collection system, and taking Ding’s rolling manipulation as the research object, the present study explored the necessity and significance of quantitative research on the inheritance and development of traditional Tuina manipulation. METHODS: Using the Tuina experts as the research object, the manipulation characteristics and parameter signs of Ding’s rolling manipulation were collected and analyzed by employing the “Tuina manipulation data gloves and data collecting system”. RESULTS: ⟀ The force waveforms, peaks and minima of each detection point altered regularly, and the force values of the front and back pendulum waveforms varied significantly with small differences in the waveform height. ⟁ The Tuina force values of the experts were concentrated in 0.70–0.85 kg, the frequency was concentrated at 120–160 times/min, and the period was about 0.4 s. ⟂ The peak, minimum, and mean of the ai1 channel was greater than ai4, all of which were statistically significant ([Formula: see text] 0.05). The ai6 peak, minimum, and mean were greater than ai3 and statistically significant ([Formula: see text] 0.05). The ai2 peak was greater than ai5, which was not statistically significant ([Formula: see text] 0.05). The ai2 minimum was greater than ai5, and the ai2 mean was less than ai5, all of which were statistically significant ([Formula: see text] 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was found that the objectification studies of the experts performing Tuina practices should be based on real clinical process. Furthermore, the results of the quantitative study can present the quantitative characteristics of the expert’s parameters, as well as the details of the manipulation process. Thus, the quantitative study of the parameters is of great significance in the transmission and development of the expert’s manipulation.