[SP4-3B-5] Acupuncture for non-verbal autistic children: A pilot study
[Background]: The dysfunction mirror neuron system (MNS) is thought to be related to core symptoms of autism. Acupuncture may serve as an ideal intervention via its corresponding acupoints to improve symptomatology of non-verbal autistic children by regulating dysfunction MNS.
[Objectives]: To observe efficacy and safety of acupuncture for non-verbal autistic children.
[Methods]: Five non-verbal autistic children (4Male/1Female, 2y2y7m) received acupuncture for 20 sessions over 4 weeks and were assessed pre- and post-acupuncture. The comprehensive assessment tools including Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Gesell Development Diagnosis Scale (GDDS), Reynell Developmental Language Scale (RDLS), Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scale, were adopted.
[Results]: For ATEC, non-significant improvement in “Sociability” domain (p=0.05) was noted, while significant improvement of DQ (P=0.018) was revealed regarding GDDS, which was attributed to the better performance of sub-domains of fine motor as well as adaptability. For RDLS, there were no significant changes in the expressive or production domains before and after acupuncture, whereas non-significant improvement (P= 0.052) in the self-care domain of PEDI was found. For CGI-I, much improvement was reported from 2 cases, which was in the “social relatedness and imitation” domains in one and “social relatedness and communication” domains in another respectively, while minimal improvement in the “Social relatedness and Communication” domains in other 2 cases and no change in remaining 1 case were also stated. All children were compliant with all acupuncture sessions.
[Conclusion]: A short intensive course of acupuncture might improve some core features of non-verbal autistic children.
[Acknowledgments]: This research is funded by the Science and Technology Department of Guangdong Province of China (2013B021800046)
[Objectives]: To observe efficacy and safety of acupuncture for non-verbal autistic children.
[Methods]: Five non-verbal autistic children (4Male/1Female, 2y2y7m) received acupuncture for 20 sessions over 4 weeks and were assessed pre- and post-acupuncture. The comprehensive assessment tools including Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Gesell Development Diagnosis Scale (GDDS), Reynell Developmental Language Scale (RDLS), Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scale, were adopted.
[Results]: For ATEC, non-significant improvement in “Sociability” domain (p=0.05) was noted, while significant improvement of DQ (P=0.018) was revealed regarding GDDS, which was attributed to the better performance of sub-domains of fine motor as well as adaptability. For RDLS, there were no significant changes in the expressive or production domains before and after acupuncture, whereas non-significant improvement (P= 0.052) in the self-care domain of PEDI was found. For CGI-I, much improvement was reported from 2 cases, which was in the “social relatedness and imitation” domains in one and “social relatedness and communication” domains in another respectively, while minimal improvement in the “Social relatedness and Communication” domains in other 2 cases and no change in remaining 1 case were also stated. All children were compliant with all acupuncture sessions.
[Conclusion]: A short intensive course of acupuncture might improve some core features of non-verbal autistic children.
[Acknowledgments]: This research is funded by the Science and Technology Department of Guangdong Province of China (2013B021800046)