title: Randomised control trial of tongue acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in improving functional outcome in cerebral palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used historically in the treatment of cerebral palsy (CP). We investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in improving the motor function of children with CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised control trial was conducted to assess the effect of tongue acupuncture (TAC) in 33 CP children. The subjects were randomised to treatment (n = 22) with TAC or control (n = 11). Clinical outcome was evaluated using the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory (PEDI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The increase in mean GMFM score was significantly greater in the treatment than in the control group (p = 0.042).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An improvement in motor function of CP subjects is seen following a short course of acupuncture.
authors.affiliation: The Jockey Club MRI Engineering Center, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: X R
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology*