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Evaluating the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture as a treatment for childhood autism using single photon emission computed tomography

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Abstract

Objective

To explore the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture (EA) in the treatment of childhood autism (CA) and evaluate its effectiveness using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods

A total of 55 CA patients (4.52±2.73 years) were enrolled in this study. All patients received EA treatments and were examined by SPECT before and after treatments.

Results

Following treatment, the intracerebral multiple focal radioactivity distribution defect areas of CA patients were observed to be partially filled. Specifically, significant differences in the ratios of regional cerebral blood flow and global cerebral blood flow before (Fb) and after (Fe) EA treatment in different lesions were observed (in the left prefrontal cortex, t=5.01, P<0.01; in the right prefrontal cortex, t=2.32, P<0.05; in the left temporal lobe, t=4.54, P<0.01; in the right temporal lobe, t=2.90, P<0.05; in the left Broca’s area, t=5.82, P<0.01). After EA treatment, the patients exhibited symptomatic relief.

Conclusion

EA is useful to treat CA and SPECT can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518036, China

    Zheng-qin Zhao  (赵正勤), Shao-wei Jia  (贾少微), Shu Hu  (胡 疏) & Wen Sun  (孙 雯)

Authors
  1. Zheng-qin Zhao  (赵正勤)
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  2. Shao-wei Jia  (贾少微)
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  3. Shu Hu  (胡 疏)
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  4. Wen Sun  (孙 雯)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shao-wei Jia  (贾少微).

Additional information

Supported by the Science and Technology Research Project of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. 00-01LP11) and Shenzhen Science and Technology Project (Health and Medicine Class, No. 201102015)

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Zhao, Zq., Jia, Sw., Hu, S. et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture as a treatment for childhood autism using single photon emission computed tomography. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 20, 19–23 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1680-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-014-1680-2

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