[Thumbtack needle at front- points for abnormal behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical effect of thumbtack needle at front- points combined with conventional rehabilitation training and simple conventional rehabilitation training in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

METHODS

A total of 40 children with ASD were randomly divided into a combination group (20 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a conventional rehabilitation group (20 cases, 3 cases dropped out). Conventional rehabilitation training i.e. language-cognition training and comprehensive education training was adopted in the conventional rehabilitation group, once a day, 5 days a week. On the basis of the treatment in the conventional rehabilitation group, thumbtack needle was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Guanyuan (CV 4) in the combination group, the needles were retained for 3 days each time, 3-day interval was taken between each treatment, for 5 times per month. One-month treatment was as one course and a total of 3 courses were required in both groups, with 10-day break between each course. Before and after treatment, the scores of autism behavior checklist (ABC), childhood autism rating scale (CARS), TCM spleen-stomach symptoms and Achenbach child behavior checklist (CBCL) were observed, and the serum ratio of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (Glu/GABA) was measured.

RESULTS

After treatment, the scores of ABC, CARS and CBCL were decreased compared with those before treatment (<0.05, <0.01) in both groups, the TCM spleen-stomach symptoms score was decreased compared with that before treatment (<0.05) in the combination group; the changes in the scores of ABC, CARS, TCM spleen-stomach symptoms and CBCL, as well as the serum Glu/GABA in the combination group were lager than those in the conventional rehabilitation group (<0.05, <0.01).

CONCLUSION

Both thumbtack needle at front- points combined with conventional rehabilitation training and simple conventional rehabilitation training can effectively treat ASD, the combination treatment has superior effect on improving the abnormal behavior, spleen-stomach symptoms and balance of nerve impulse and inhibition.