RESUMO
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of interactive scalp acupuncture therapy for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).Methods Eighty-three ASD patients were randomized to a treatment group (43 cases) and a control group (40 cases).The treatment group received interactive scalp acupuncture therapy (scalp acupuncture first and music education therapy during needle retention) and the control group,music education therapy alone.The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score,the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) score and the Gesell Development Quotient (DQ) scores were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the CARS,ABC and DQ (social adaptation and individual sociality) scores in both groups (P＜ 0.01).There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the CARS,ABC and DQ scores between the treatment and control groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion Interactive scalp acupuncture therapy plus music education therapy can relieve the clinical symptoms and improve social and cognitive abilities in ASD patients.