title: Seven-star needle stimulation improves language and social interaction of children with autistic spectrum disorders.
abstract: This is a randomized controlled trial that aimed to evaluate the effect of the Seven-star Needle Stimulation treatment on children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Thirty-two children with ASD were assigned randomly into the treatment and control groups. Children in the treatment group underwent 30 sessions of stimulation over 6 weeks, while children in the control group were on a waiting list and did not receive treatment during this period of time. Intervention consisted of a treatment regime comprising of 30 sessions of Seven-star Needle Stimulation, delivered over 6 weeks. Each session lasted 5 to 10 min, children in the treatment group were stimulated at the front and back sides of their body and the head by using Seven-star Needles. The change in the children's behavior was evaluated using parents' report and neurophysiological changes were measured by quantitative EEG (qEEG). Results showed that the treatment group demonstrated significant improvement in language and social interaction, but not in stereotyped behavior or motor function, compared to the control group. qEEG spectral amplitudes in the treatment, but not in the control group, were also reduced significantly. The results suggested that Seven-star Needle Stimulation might be an effective intervention to improve language and social functioning of children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neurocognitive Function Enhancement, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. aschan@psy.cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Agnes S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Mei-Chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Sophia L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Sze
authors.forename: Winnie W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009339:Needles; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome