A Pilot Observational Study of an Acupressure/Acupuncture Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Warren Lana R,Rao Patricia A,Paton David C Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) OBJECTIVES:To determine whether children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would tolerate an acupressure/acupuncture intervention and whether parents would adhere to a twice-weekly, 8-week intervention protocol. Second, to further understand best measures to use to capture impact of intervention on behavioral and regulatory functions. DESIGN:This is an observational pilot study with pre-, mid-, and postintervention measures. SETTINGS/LOCATION:The intervention was carried out in a private practice office in a large metropolitan area. SUBJECTS:A total of 10 children of ages 3-10 years with ASD and one of their parents participated. INTERVENTIONS:A total of 16 biweekly treatment sessions of acupressure and/or acupuncture were carried out by a licensed acupuncturist, and a daily home-based acupressure intervention was carried out by a parent. OUTCOME MEASURES:Attendance, tolerance of intervention, parent compliance with home program, and parent compliance in completing daily diary and five standardized measures of behavioral and regulatory functions pre-, mid-, and postintervention were recorded. RESULTS:The 10 children in this observational study, collectively, tolerated the intervention and parents adhered to the 16 sessions, biweekly protocol, and home protocol, as well as completing daily diary and five standardized measures at three different time intervals. The five measurements appeared to be sensitive to behavioral and regulatory functions that may improve with this type of intervention. CONCLUSIONS:The results of this observational pilot study suggest that acupressure/acupuncture is a feasible intervention for children with ASD that merits rigorous evaluation through a randomized controlled trial. 10.1089/acm.2016.0257

[Influence of acupuncture on the clinical manifestations and gastrointestinal symptoms of children with autism spectrum disorder]. Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of acupuncture therapy based on "gut-brain axis" on clinical manifestations and gastrointestinal symptoms of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS:A total of 66 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 33 cases in each group. The control group was treated by routine rehabilitation training. On the basis of the control group, the observation group was treated with acupuncture based on "gut-brain axis", and the acupoints were Touwei (ST 8), Shenting (GV 24), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Both treatments were given once every other day, 3 times a week, 4 weeks as a course of treatment, consecutively for 3 courses. The scores of autism behavior checklist (ABC), TCM symptoms of gastrointestinal disease and childhood autism rating scale (CARS) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS:After treatment, the scores of ABC, CARS and TCM symptoms of gastrointestinal disease in the two groups were lower than before treatment (<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 90.9% (30/33), which was higher than 81.8% (27/33) in the control group (<0.05). CONCLUSION:On the basis of routine rehabilitation training, acupuncture therapy based on "gut-brain axis" is effective in treating ASD, which can relieve the clinical manifestations and gastrointestinal symptoms. 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220111-0004

Pediatric Tuina in children with autism spectrum disorder: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Feng Xiang,Jiang Quanrui,Zhang Yuxing,Li Tao,Wei Wei,Yu Jun,Li Wu,Li Jiangshan Trials BACKGROUND:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive stereotypical behavior and communication deficits. Currently, it lacks a specific clinical treatment method. Pediatric Tuina is a recent therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used to treat children with ASD. Nonetheless, it remains uncommon given the lack of large-scale evidence-based medical studies. This study aims to compare the efficacy of Tuina and conventional treatment in children with ASD. METHODS:Eligible children will be randomly assigned to either the pediatric Tuina plus conventional treatment group or to the conventional treatment alone group based on a random table at a ratio of 1:1. The effectiveness of the Tuina intervention for ASD will be evaluated by a third-party organization. The pre- and post-intervention scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale comprised the primary outcome, whereas pre- and post-intervention scores on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist were the secondary outcomes to assess improvement in symptoms. Baseline values of the participants will be determined at the time of registration. Outcomes will be evaluated after the 30th treatment session. The follow-up period will last for 6 months after treatment. DISCUSSION:This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tuina in the treatment of ASD. The results of this study could provide reliable evidence to improve the management of patients with ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (CHICTR), ChiCTR2000040452 . Registered on 28 November 2020. 10.1186/s13063-022-06030-4

Safety, effectiveness, and economic evaluation of an herbal medicine, Ukgansangajinpibanha granule, in children with autism spectrum disorder: a study protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Lee Sun Haeng,Shin Seungwon,Kim Tae-Hun,Kim Sang Min,Do Tae Yoon,Park Sulgi,Lee Boram,Shin Hye Jin,Lee Jihong,Lee Jin Yong,Chang Gyu Tae Trials BACKGROUND:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by continuous impairment in communication and social interaction and by limited and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Behavioral, educational, and pharmaceutical interventions have been shown to reduce behavioral disabilities, improve verbal/non-verbal communication, and help patients acquire self-reliance skills. However, there has been a lack of systematic verification and consensus regarding the treatment of the core symptoms of ASD because of its unclear etiology. Ukgansangajinpibanha (UGSJB), a legitimately prescribed herbal medicine for nervousness, insomnia, night crying, and malnutrition in South Korea and Japan, has been used for angry, sensitive, nervous, and unsettled children with ASD. METHODS/DESIGN:This trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, clinical trial. The 4- to 6-year-old children with ASD will be randomly assigned to following groups: 1. A UGSJB granule with acupuncture, twice daily (n = 120) 2. A placebo group with acupuncture, twice daily (n = 120). The following outcome measures will be used: behavior by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Autism Behavior Checklist, and Aberrant Behavior Checklist; social maturity by the Social Maturity Scale; quality of life by the Child Health Questionnaire and EuroQoL Five-dimension Five-level Youth; and parental stress by the Parenting Stress Index at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the beginning of treatment. In addition, to evaluate safety, we will investigate the adverse reactions that may be caused by UGSJB granule. Finally, we will make an economic evaluation of UGSJB for the treatment of ASD. DISCUSSION:We prepared a well-designed clinical trial to investigate the safety and effectiveness of UGSJB on ASD symptoms compared with placebo treatment. The results from this study will provide clinical evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and economic value of UGSJB combined with acupuncture in children with ASD. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinical Research Information Service: KCT0003007 (registered on April 5, 2018). 10.1186/s13063-019-3537-7