Randomised control trial of tongue acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in improving functional outcome in cerebral palsy.
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.
Sun
J G
JG
The Jockey Club MRI Engineering Center, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Ko
C H
CH
Wong
V
V
Sun
X R
XR
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*