[Efficacy of acupuncture based on "gut-brain axis" combined with sensory integration training on autism spectrum disorder and its effect on gastrointestinal symptoms].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the efficacy of acupuncture based on "gut-brain axis" combined with sensory integration training in children with autism spectrum disorder (autism) and its effect on gastrointestinal symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 96 children with autism were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 48 cases in each group, with 3 cases dropped out. Children in the control group received sensory integration training. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, children in the observation group received acupuncture therapy based on "gut-brain axis", and the point selection of scalp acupuncture was forehead five needles, i.e. bilateral Touwei (ST8), Toulinqi (GB15), Shenting (GV24) and Sishencong (EX-HN1), the point selection of body acupuncture was Zhongshu (GV7) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Pishu (BL20), Xinshu (BL15), Zusanli (ST36), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3). Acupuncture was delivered once every other day, 3 times a week. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of autism behavior checklist (ABC), childhood autism rating scale (CARS), autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) and gastrointestinal TCM symptoms, as well as the relative abundance of intestinal flora were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTS

After treatment, the ABC and CARS scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (<0.001, <0.05), and the ABC and CARS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.01). After treatment, the item scores of language, sensory perception, sociability, behavior, and the total score of ATEC in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (<0.001, <0.01), the item scores of language, sociability, behavior, and the total score of ATEC in the control group were decreased compared with those before treatment (<0.01, <0.001, <0.05); the each-item and total scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the scores of loose stool, stomach duct pain, stomach duct stuffiness, decreased appetite, and the total scores of gastrointestinal TCM symptoms were reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups (<0.001), and the above scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.001). After treatment, the relative abundance of and was decreased compared with that before treatment in the two groups (<0.001), and the above relative abundance in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.001); the relative abundance of and was increased compared with that before treatment in the two groups (<0.001), and the above relative abundance in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.001). The total effective rate was 88.9% (40/45) in the observation group, which was higher than 66.7% (30/45) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

On the basis of sensory integration training, acupuncture based on "gut-brain axis" can improve the behavioral status and gastrointestinal symptoms, and correct the imbalance of intestinal flora in children with autism.