Clinical Randomized Controlled Study of Acupuncture Treatment on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to summarize the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through literature analysis and evaluation. All studies were retrieved from various databases as follows: English databases, such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and Web of Science, and Chinese databases, such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data (WF), and Technology Periodical Database (VIP). The Cochrane Collaboration’s Bias Risk Assessment Scale was used to assess the studies’ risk of bias. The effects of acupuncture treatment for ASD were determined using the following indicators: childhood autism rating scale (CARS), autism behavior check list (ABC), Reynell developmental language scale (RDLS), and functional independence measure of children (WeeFIM). The risk map of bias of these studies’ quality and the meta-analysis results of the indicators was prepared with RevMan 5.2 software. Finally, 16 studies were included, five of which were in English and 11 were in Chinese. The 16 studies included 1332 patients. The CARS results for subgroup analysis were as follows: acupuncture subgroup (MD = −2.65, 95% CI (−3.22, −2.07)) and acupuncture plus massage subgroup (MD = −10.35, 95% CI (−11.34, −9.36)). The ABC results were as follows: (MD = −6.70, 95% CI (−9.10, −4.29)). The analysis results of sensory, relating, language, body and object use, and social/self-help in the subitems of ABC were as follows: sensory (MD = −2.67, 95% CI (−2.90, −2.44)), relating (MD = −3.28, 95% CI (−3.55, −3.02)), language (MD = −2.45, 95% CI (−2.73, −2.16)), body and object use (MD = −1.19, 95% CI (−1.38, −1.00)), and social/self-help (MD = −2.09, 95% CI (−2.30, −1.89)). For the analysis results of comprehension and expression ages in the subitems of RDLS, the comprehension age results were as follows: (MD = 0.08, 95% CI (−0.06, 0.22), P = 0.27). Those of expression age were as follows: (MD = 0.15, 95% CI (0.04, 0.26), P = 0.009 ). The WeeFIM results were as follows: (MD = 3.70, 95% CI (2.38, 5.02)). This study suggested that acupuncture could effectively treat ASD. However, acupuncture methods and prescriptions at this stage remain heterogeneous, and acupuncture treatment operations require standardization. Studies using rigorous and standard research designs are needed to draw stronger conclusions about the advantages of using acupuncture to treat children and adolescents with ASD.

Efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions targeting social function in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Fixed-effects models were used unless I 2 >50%; in this case, a random-effects model was used, and the causes of heterogeneity were explored through subgroup or sensitivity analyses. If the quantity of included studies was adequate (n≥10), a funnel plot was constructed to assess publication bias [ 10 ].…”

“…Most meta-analyses have examined the overall effect of acupuncture on ASD rather than specific aspects such as its effect on social function [ 8 , 10 ]; hence, a systematic evaluation and quantitative analysis of clinical evidence for the use of behavioural therapy and acupuncture for ASD and their effects on social function is needed. This study aimed to identify the short- and long-term effects of acupuncture and behavioural therapy on social function among ASD patients.…”

Autism spectrum disorder: Status of primary care in China

“…include antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, and psychostimulants (21), which are limited to treating concomitant conditions rather than ASD itself (22). Traditional Chinese medicine interventions such as acupuncture, massage, and herbal remedies seem to have some effect on partial symptoms, but further research is needed to confirm these results (21,23). In contrast, behavioral and educational rehabilitation is an evidencebased intervention for core symptoms of ASD and is widely accepted for its demonstrable effects.…”

DBN Neural Network Model Combined with Meta-Analysis on the Curative Effect of Acupuncture and Massage

“…Acupuncture and massage, as one of the oldest medical means in China, have a long history of development and play a prominent role in China's medical eld [1][2][3]. In China's medical eld, people still habitually choose acupuncture and massage as treatments for some common problems such as acupoint blockage and local pain [4,5].…”