title: Effects of Thai traditional massage on autistic children's behavior.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to access whether there were any therapeutic effects of Thai Traditional Massage (TTM) on major behavioral and emotional disturbances in Thai autistic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized controlled trial study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the Rehabilitation Centre of the Thai Red Cross Society.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 autistic children between the ages of 3 and 10 completed this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard sensory integration therapy (SI) was compared to the SI with TTM treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents and teachers assessed major behavior disturbances using the Conners' Rating Scales at 0 and 8 weeks. Sleep Diary (SD), recorded by the parents, assessed the patient's sleeping patterns every week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty (60) autistic children, mean age 4.67 +/- 1.82, were recruited. No statistical differences were seen in the demographic and baseline data among both groups. From both the Conners' Teacher Questionnaire and SD, statistical improvement was detected for conduct problem, hyperactivity, inattention-passivity, hyperactivity index, and sleeping behavior. However, results from the Conners' Parent Questionnaire revealed an improvement only for anxiety (p = 0.04) in the massage group, whereas when both groups were compared, a significant improvement in conduct problem (p = 0.03) and anxiety (p = 0.01) was found. Results indicated that TTM may have a positive effect in improving stereotypical behaviors in autistic children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over a period of 8 weeks, our findings suggested that TTM could be used as a complementary therapy for autistic children in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. knpiravej@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Krisna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Piravej
authors.forename: Preeda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tangtrongchitr
authors.forename: Parichawan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chandarasiri
authors.forename: Luksamee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paothong
authors.forename: Saengaroon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sukprasong
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D013785:Thailand