[A Preliminary Study on Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Children with Autism].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in treating children with autism spectrum disorders.

METHODS

Forty-one autistic children receiving rehabilitation training were randomized into TEAS (n=21) and control (n=20) groups. The control group only received rehabilitation training. The TEAS group received both rehabilitation training and TEAS treatment[2 Hz/15 Hz alternating frequencies through two pairs of skin electrodes placed at Hegu (LI 4)-Neiguan (PC 6) on unilateral side, and Zusanli (ST 36)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the contralateral side]. The treatment was given 30 min per day for 12 weeks. The outcome assessment was quantified with a series of rating scales including Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ).

RESULTS

(1) The TEAS group showed more significant improvement than the control group in ABC (P<0.01). 38.1% effective rate (8/21) was observed in the TEAS group compared to 5.0% (1/20) in the control group (P<0.05). The CARS scores of both groups were reduced (P<0.0001) after treatment. The TEAS group showed significantly lower score compared to the control group (P<0.0001). (2)There was a distinctly reduced PSQ score in both TEAS and control groups (P<0.001) after treatment.(3)TEAS intervention showed better effect in children under 6 years old with moderate or severe autistic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

TEAS intervention can significantly improve the autistic symptoms.