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Sponsored by: |
The University of Hong Kong |
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Information provided by: | The University of Hong Kong |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00352352 |
This is a study of the efficacy of acupuncture in children with autism.
Condition | Intervention | Phase |
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Autism Autistic Disorder |
Procedure: Tongue Acupuncture (Procedure) |
Phase III |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Treatment, Randomized, Single Blind, Active Control, Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study |
Official Title: | Randomized Control Trial of Using Acupuncture In Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
Estimated Enrollment: | 30 |
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with unknown etiology. ASD consisted of 3 core features: 1) disorder of language or communication; 2) disorder of social interaction; and 3) obsessive and stereotypic behavior.
Acupuncture had been practiced in China for over two millennia. In Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, nearly 400 acupoints on the body surface are interrelated to various functions. The approach in TCM, in sharp contrast to western medical concept, was a “holistic” approach with a philosophical background of balancing the “Yin-and-Yang”. The main objective of TCM was to improve health of body and mind by deblocking the flow of “Qi” in the body.
The pathophysiological basis of TCM aimed to improve “energy” or “body-flow” or “Qi” [“de-qui” in Chinese]. The effect of acupuncture was had been proven in animal and human studies to be due to direct neural stimulation, changes in neurotransmitters such as endorphin, immunological markers or endocrinological signals. Thus, acupuncture is especially effective in chronic disorders, especially neurological ones.
As there is no TCM concept of mental retardation or autism, we propose that ASD is part of the spectrum of the TCM concept of the “Four Delayed Syndrome” in children with “delay in motor skills, speech, hair and teeth eruption” according to TCM concept. Thus, we approach ASD according to TCM concept as part of the lower intelligence due to imbalance of “Heart meridian and Kidney meridian” (i.e. yin-yang imbalance) resulting in communication problem and
Our objective is to use a different approach in looking at ASD and to assess the efficacy of TCM model in improving the functional status of these children. Specific acupoints corresponding to various organs and meridians were used for ASD. The organ and meridian concept in TCM model has been as a fundamental basis to improve the behavior, cognition and communicative ability in children with ASD.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 3 Years to 15 Years |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Study ID Numbers: | 3469296479554546 |
Study First Received: | July 13, 2006 |
Last Updated: | July 13, 2006 |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00352352 History of Changes |
Health Authority: | HKSAR: Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong/Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster |
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Alternative Medicine (AM) Tongue Acupuncture (TAC) |
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Autism Children |
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disabilities Mental Disorders |
Autistic Disorder Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood Autism |
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Pathologic Processes Disease |
Mental Disorders Autistic Disorder Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood |