Abstract:Objective To explore the effects of modified Sijunzi Decoction combined with acupoint massage on patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods A total of 100 GDM patients admitted to Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital from March 2021 to March 2024 were selected and randomly divided into a monotherapy group (n = 50) and a combination group (n = 50) using the envelope method. The monotherapy group received acupoint massage alone, while the combination group received both modified Sijunzi Decoction and acupoint massage. The treatment efficacy, changes in blood glucose levels, pancreatic function, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results The combination group showed a higher overall effective rate than the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the combination group had lower levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) compared to the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). The differences in FPG, 2hPG, and HbA1c before and after treatment were greater in the combination group than in the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the combination group exhibited higher homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) (P < 0.05), and lower homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels than the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). The pre-to-post-treatment differences in HOMA-β, HOMA-IR, and FINS levels were greater in the combination group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the primary symptom scores, secondary symptom scores, tongue and pulse scores, and total TCM syndrome scores in the combination group were all lower than those in the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). The differences in these scores before and after treatment were greater in the combination group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was lower in the combination group than in the monotherapy group (P < 0.05).Conclusion The combined application of modified Sijunzi Decoction and acupoint massage demonstrates significant efficacy in GDM patients.