RESUMEN
ObjectiveTo observe the treatment efficacy of needling LIN’s three temporal acupoints in treating children with autism by using a randomized controlled study method.MethodSixty-eight patients with autism were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Because of dropouts and rejects, 33cases were finally recruited into the observation group, and 32 into the control group. The two groups both received speech training and special education. In addition, the control group received acupuncture at Shenting (GV24), Benshen (GB13), Sishenzhen (Extra), Emotional zone, Speech zone 1, Speech zone 2, and Speech zone 3; while the observation group received acupuncture at LIN’s three temporal acupoints based on the points selected in the control group except for Speech zone 3. Twisting needles and electroacupuncture were also applied in both groups. The treatment was performed once every other day, 10 sessions as a treatment course, with a 15-day interval between two courses, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses. Gesell test and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were adopted for evaluation before and after the intervention.ResultBefore treatment, there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the social adaptation, speech and social intercourse ability from Gesell test and ABC score (P>0.05); after treatment,the social adaptation, speech, intercourse ability, and ABC scorewere significantly improved in both groups (P0.05), while theimprovement of social intercourse ability and ABC scoreinthe observation group were more significant than thatinthe control group (P<0.05). ConclusionNeedling LIN’s three temporal acupoints possibly has a specialtreatment effect in improving social intercourse ability and abnormal behavior in autism patients.