Electroacupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder: pilot study of 2 cases.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to observe for efficacy, safety, and compliance of electroacupuncture for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).


METHODS
Two (2) children with ASD received electroacupuncture for 24 sessions over 8 weeks and were assessed pre- and postacupuncture. We defined a positive or negative change as an improvement or deterioration of 25%, respectively, in total score or any subscales of Aberrant Behavioral Checklist (ABC), Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Scale (RFRLS), WeeFIM, and as a rating of much improved or much worse on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale.


RESULTS
For ABC, positive changes in "Irritability" and "Stereotypy" was noted in case 1 but no changes occurred for case 2. For RFRLS, positive changes were found for both cases in "Sensory motor," "Sensory response," and "Total score," although negative change was noted for case 2 in "Affectual response." For WeeFIM, there were no positive or negative changes in both cases. For CGI-I, positive change in case 1 with much improved in "Social relatedness, Communication, and Stereotypy behavior" was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
A short intensive course of electroacupuncture might improve some core features of children with ASD.
Chen
Wen-Xiong
WX
Division of Child Neurology/Developmental Paediatrics/Neurohabilitation, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Wu-Li
Liu
L
Wong
Virginia C N
VC
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome