Wang Nan, Wang Guoqin, Chen Dong
Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of TCM, Nanjing 210029, China.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2025 Jan 12;45(1):36-40. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240318-k0001.
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.
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.
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).
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.
探讨基于“肠-脑轴”的针刺联合感觉统合训练对孤独症谱系障碍（自闭症）儿童的疗效及其对胃肠道症状的影响。
将96例自闭症儿童随机分为观察组和对照组，每组48例，脱落3例。对照组儿童接受感觉统合训练。观察组儿童在对照组治疗的基础上，接受基于“肠-脑轴”的针刺治疗，头皮针选穴为额五针，即双侧头维（ST8）、头临泣（GB15）、神庭（GV24）、四神聪（EX-HN1），体针选穴为中脘（GV7）及双侧天枢（ST25）、脾俞（BL20）、心俞（BL15）、足三里（ST36）、合谷（LI4）、太冲（LR3）。针刺隔日1次，每周3次。两组均治疗12周。比较两组治疗前后自闭症行为量表（ABC）、儿童自闭症评定量表（CARS）、自闭症治疗评估量表（ATEC）评分及胃肠道中医症状，以及肠道菌群相对丰度，并评价两组临床疗效。
治疗后，两组ABC、CARS评分均较治疗前降低（<0.001，<0.05），且观察组ABC、CARS评分低于对照组（<0.01）。治疗后，观察组语言、感觉认知、社交、行为项目评分及ATEC总分较治疗前降低（<0.001，<0.01），对照组语言、社交、行为项目评分及ATEC总分较治疗前降低（<0.01，<0.001，<0.05）；观察组各项目及总分低于对照组（<0.05）。治疗后，两组腹泻、胃脘痛、胃脘闷、食欲不振评分及胃肠道中医症状总分较治疗前降低（<0.001），且观察组上述评分低于对照组（<0.001）。治疗后，两组及的相对丰度较治疗前降低（<0.001），且观察组上述相对丰度低于对照组（<0.001）；两组及的相对丰度较治疗前升高（<0.001），且观察组上述相对丰度高于对照组（<0.001）。观察组总有效率为88.9%（40/45），高于对照组的66.7%（30/45）（<0.05）。
在感觉统合训练基础上，基于“肠-脑轴”的针刺可改善自闭症儿童的行为状态及胃肠道症状，纠正肠道菌群失衡。
