[Observation on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment of autism children].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture ("Jin's Sanzhen") treatment for autism patients with different severity.


METHODS
A total of 202 autism children were divided into treatment group (n=118) and control group (n=84) according to their parents' will. Autism children in the treatment group were treated with "Jin's Sanzhen" therapy [for example, Niesanzhen: the point 2 cun superior to the ear tip, and those at the same level 1 cun apart on the left and right sides; Naosanzhen: Naohu (GV 17), bilateral Naokong (GB 19), etc.], while those of control group accepted special training: behavior education (cognition, speech, communication ability, life self-care ability, etc.) and sensory integration training. The treatment was given to the patients in both groups once per day, six times a week for 4 months.


RESULTS
Of the 78 and 58 severe patients in the treatment and control groups, 63 (80.8%) and4 (6.9%) experienced marked improvement, 9 (11.5%) and 33 (56.9%) experienced improvement, 6 (7.7%) and 21 (36.2%) failed, with the effective rates being 92.3% and 63.8% respectively. Of the 118 and 84 patients in the treatment and control groups, after the treatment, the no symptoms, mild, moderate and severe cases were 12 (10.2%) and 3 (3.6%), 56 (47.5%) and 25 (29.8%), 45 (38.1%) and 23 (27.4%), 5 (4.2%) and 33 (39.3%), respectively. The total score of Childhood Autism Rating Scale of treatment group was significantly lower than that of control group after the treatment in severe cases (P < 0.01), showing a better therapeutic effect of the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
"Jin's Sanzhen" therapy has a better therapeutic effect for improving the autism patients symptoms at different severity.
Yuan
Qing
Q
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China. yuanqing1005@126.com
Wu
Zhi-feng
ZF
Wang
Rui-chao
RC
Deng
Jing-jing
JJ
Zhou
Hua-ling
HL
Lang
Jian-ying
JY
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care; D012919:Social Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome