The efficacy and observation of meridian acupoint massage in preventing lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in older inpatients without accompanying caregivers based on color Doppler ultrasound evaluation

Objective Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of “combining movement and stillness,” this study employed color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) to assess the efficacy of meridian acupoint massage in preventing lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) among older inpatients without accompanying caregivers, and to investigate its influence on venous hemodynamics and hemorheological parameters. Methods This study enrolled 101 older inpatients without accompanying caregivers who were at high risk for DVT (Padua score ≥4). They were randomly assigned to either a control group (routine care, n = 50) or an experimental group (meridian acupoint massage combined with routine care, n = 51). CDUS was used to assess the incidence of DVT and calf muscular venous thrombosis (CMVT), peak venous blood flow velocity, venous diameter, and compressibility before treatment, on treatment days 7 and 14, and during the follow-up period. Hemorheological parameters, differences in lower-limb circumference, and plasma D-dimer levels were also measured. Results DVT occurred in 1/51 versus 10/50 participants, corresponding to a risk ratio of 0.10 (95% CI, 0.01–0.74) and an absolute risk reduction of 18.0 percentage points (95% CI, 6.3–29.8). The incidence of CMVT was likewise substantially reduced (0.0% vs. 16.0%, P = 0.003). By day 14 of treatment, peak flow velocities measured in both the common femoral vein and the popliteal vein were notably elevated in the experimental group relative to the control group (both P < 0.01). Complete venous compressibility was more frequent in the experimental group at day 14, but this finding is closely related to the lower number of ultrasound-detected thrombotic events and should not be interpreted as an independent hemodynamic mechanism. Moreover, the experimental group exhibited considerably reduced values for whole-blood high-shear viscosity, whole-blood low-shear viscosity, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, and D-dimer when compared with the control group ( P < 0.01), along with a significantly reduced lower limb circumference difference ( P < 0.01). Only 5 cases (9.8%) in the experimental group experienced local skin redness or minor ecchymosis, which resolved spontaneously, with no serious adverse events. Conclusion Based on CDUS findings, meridian acupoint massage following the principle of “combining movement and stillness” can significantly reduce the incidence of DVT and CMVT in older inpatients without accompanying caregivers, improve venous hemodynamics, hemorheological parameters, and lower limb swelling. Only mild, transient local reactions were observed during the short intervention period, and no serious adverse events were detected; larger studies with longer follow-up are required to characterize safety more fully.