Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture in Autistic Spectrum Disorder

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 3

Conditions

Autistic Disorder

Autism

Treatments

Procedure: Tongue Acupuncture (Procedure)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00352248

9608944339555027

Details and patient eligibility

About

We aim to study the efficacy of Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in children with ASD.

Full description

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophy, the approach to Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a holistic one. The objective is to study the efficacy of a short intensive course of Acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in improving the overall functional status of children with autism. A single-blind randomized control trial was conducted in 50 children. These children were randomly assigned to Treatment group with Tongue Acupuncture (40 sessions over 8 weeks) or Control group (Sham Tongue Acupuncture to non-acupoints in the tongue).

Sex

All

Ages

3 to 11 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Subjects with diagnosis of autism made according to the criteria of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and with a score for Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) greater than 30.

Exclusion criteria