The Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on Emotional and Emotion Related Behavioral Problems in Children with Autism

Background: Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often manifest various emotion and emotion related behavioral problems. They may exhibit externalizing difficulties such as temper tantrum, aggression, even self-injury, together with internalizing problems such as anxiety, fear, depression and impatience. Scalp acupuncture had been found to improve the cognitive, social, as well as behavioral problems. Our clinical observation noted a drastic change in emotional and emotion- related behavioral problems in children with ASD upon the therapy of scalp acupuncture. Methods: Children with ASD aged 2 to 10 were assessed as a treatment group (n=45) and a comparison group (n=44). Data were analyzed by the paired sample t-test. The treatment group received scalp acupuncture therapy of a total of 30 sessions in about 6 months, while the comparison group received no acupuncture treatment. The differences in performance were compared between the two groups. Results: There were significant improvements in performance of temper tantrum, aggression to others, impatience, fears and anxiety after scalp acupuncture. Scalp acupuncture had shown to exhibit prominent influence to items of temper tantrum and aggression take into account the natural course of the disorder. Conclusion: Scalp acupuncture is effective in alleviating emotional and emotion-related behavioral problems especially temper tantrum and aggression problems in children with ASD.