Abstract: Objective To explore the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine compress combined with specific electromagnetic wave(TDP)irradiation and nursing intervention in improving hand symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis(SSc)during clinical management. Methods A total of 122 hospitalized patients diagnosed with SSc at Hebei Yiling Hospital from August 2023 to March 2025 were randomly divided into a control group and a research group using a random number table method, with 61 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing intervention, while the research group received traditional Chinese medicine compress combined with TDP irradiation in addition to the routine nursing intervention. The treatment response rate, Raynaud phenomenon(RP)activity, hand function, pain degree, quality of life, and Taylor-Pelmear stage changes were observed and compared between the two groups.Results After 3 weeks of treatment, the efficacy in the research group was superior to that in the control group(P=0.038). There were no statistically significant differences in RP activity, hand function, pain degree, quality of life, and Taylor-Pelmear stage between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, the Raynaud Severity Score(RS)in the research group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05), the fist-clenching test time was shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05), and the Pain Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). The quality of life scores increased in both groups, and the research group was superior to the control group(P<0.05). The Taylor-Pelmear stage significantly improved in both groups, and the improvement in the research group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion In the clinical management of patients with SSc, traditional Chinese medicine compress combined with TDP irradiation and nursing intervention can effectively improve hand symptoms, significantly alleviate RP, reduce pain, promote hand function recovery, improve quality of life, and demonstrate good safety.

Key words: systemic sclerosis, traditional Chinese medicine sealing-pack therapy, specific electromagnetic wave, hand symptoms