[Effects of electroacupuncture combined with behavior therapy on intelligence and behavior of children of autism].
OBJECTIVE
To find out an effective therapy for autism.


METHODS
Sixty children of autism were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) plus behavior therapy group and a behavior therapy group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the two groups were treated with routine behavior, with EA at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenting (GV 24), Benshen (GB 13), Yintang (EX-HN 3), Naohu (GV 17), Naokong (GB 19), Neiguan (PC 6) and scalp acupuncture at Speech Areas I, II, III added for the EA plus behavior therapy group. Their therapeutic effects were observed, and the picture and vocabulary scale (PPVT) and behavior ability were detected.


RESULTS
The total effective rate was 86.7% in the EA plus behavior therapy group which was better than 56.7% of the behavior therapy group, and had significant enhancement in sensation, association, body, and ability of self-care (P < 0.05) and was better than the behavior therapy group in sensation, body and self-care factors, with no significantly improvement in the scores of PPVT in the two groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
EA combined with behavior therapy can significantly improve clinical symptoms of autism, but does not improve intelligence.
Wang
Chun-nan
CN
Rehabilitation Section, Shenyang City Hospital of Children, Liaoning 110032, China. wangchunnan@tom.com
Liu
Yan
Y
Wei
Xiao-hong
XH
Li
Li-xia
LX
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional