ABSTRACT
In clinical research, sensory impairment is considered one of the core deficits in autism and is associated with impaired socialization, behavioral disturbances and bowel and sleep problems. The effectiveness of the Cignolini methodology, an original Qigong massage methodology, in treating sensory impairment in young children with autism was evaluated in a small, controlled study. Thirteen children with autism between the ages of three and six received daily treatment according to the methodology for 5 months. Compared with untreated children, treated children experienced significant improvement of their sensory impairment (p < 0.01), and demonstrated increased social skills (p < 0.04) and basic living skills (p < 0.02) on standardized measures. In addition, all of the children with bowel and sleep abnormalities demonstrated improvement after treatment.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/complications , Breathing Exercises , Interpersonal Relations , Massage , Sensation Disorders/therapy , Activities of Daily Living , Child , Child, Preschool , Constipation/complications , Constipation/therapy , Diarrhea/complications , Diarrhea/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Sensation Disorders/complications , Sleep Wake Disorders/complications , Sleep Wake Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
A medical Qigong protocol was applied to a group of eight autistic children under the age of six. The children received medical Qigong massage twice weekly from the physician and daily Qigong massage from the parents for a five-week period, followed by daily parent massage for an additional four weeks. Standardized tests showed a decrease in autistic behaviors and increase in language development in all the children, as well as improvement in motor skills, sensory function and general health.
