ArticleLiterature Review

Qigong in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Authors:
  • CBSin - Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, Atlântico Business School, Vila Nova de Gaia, 4405-604, Portugal
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Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that affects all races, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. With a high incidence ratio of one in every 68, it has become one of the most discussed psychiatric disorders. For this reason, the need for investigating novel treatments has been emerging. Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind-body technique, has already proven to be able to reduce symptoms of several physical and psychological illnesses. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to examine and categorize the current scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of Qigong on children suffering from autism spectrum disorders. Search Strategy: A systematic literature search of the electronic scientific databases PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov, BioMed Central, PubMed Central and Google Scholar, was performed to identify studies of Qigong in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder. Inclusion Criteria: This review included randomized controlled trials, replication studies, retrospective studies and observational follow-up studies of Qigong on children with autism spectrum disorder. Case reports and case series were excluded. Data Extraction and Analysis: Two researchers independently evaluated the methodological quality of all included studies. Any discrepancies were solved by discussion until consensus was achieved. Results: Our literature search identified 157 publications, and 10 additional publications from hand search of references. After duplicate removal, 103 records remained. After the title/abstract screening, 19 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation, 10 studies were included. Seven studies were conducted with small children with 2 to 6 years old employing Qigong massage, and three studies were conducted with older children aged 7 to 17 years old applying both Qigong massage (one study) and Neigong (two studies). Conclusion: Studies demonstrated that Qigong has interesting and promising applicability and effect on children with autism spectrum disorder and should be tested further. Despite the need for more rigorous controlled studies, Qigong seems to be able to decrease severity of individual sensory, behavioural, and language components of autism, and improve self-control, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness as well as healthy-physical behaviour. Besides positive effect on children and adolescents, benefits seem to extend to parents and caregivers as well. However, quality of methodology seems to be insufficient to state that Qigong is an alternative to common behavioural therapies. We suggest that, until more investigation is performed, Qigong may only be used as a complement, or when behavioural therapies are not accessible. Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Qigong; Mind-body interventions; Children

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... (16,17) According to some studies, massage may have various effects on children with autism, such as decreasing touch aversion and increasing tolerance for tactile stimulation; reducing stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels; improving social skills, communication, and emotional expression; enhancing mood, relaxation, and sleep quality; and alleviating pain, muscle tension, and sensory issues. (18)(19)(20) However, the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of massage for autism is limited, and more research is needed to confirm the benefits and optimal protocols of massage for this population. Also, published literature had a different effect size regarding the effects of massage on autistic children. ...
... In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with ASD. (15,19) ...
... These findings could minimize the effect of massage that the last systemic review stated. (19) Even the ABC, which measures important values, did not show any significant difference in this outcome in a study, (29) despite the authors' belief that the educational program that both groups received reduced autistic behavior. These results indicate the need for more research to confirm and generalize the effect of massage alone on autistic children. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about 1 in every 44 children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old had been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Comple mentary interventions such as massage are crucial for the improvement of the health outcomes of ASD patients, such as abnormal sensory response; Autism Behavior Checklist; parenting stress, self regulatory difficulties, social, language, and communication abilities; tactile or oral abnormalities; Vineland daily living skills; Vineland socialization; Childhood Autism Rating Scale; Preschool Language Scale 5th Edition (PLS-5) auditory communica tion; and PLS-5 expressive communica tion. Purpose: We aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parent ing stress in children with ASD. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were scoured from their inception through November 15, 2022. Research comparing massage efficacy in children with ASD to other methods or a control group was included. 4 For randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we utilized the Cochrane risk of bias tool; and for cohort studies, we used the tool devel oped by the National Institutes of Health. Meta-analysis was carried out with Review Manager 5.4. For our continuous data, we calculated the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: We included 10 studies with a total number of 485 children with autism. Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the massage group regarding self-regu latory difficulties (MD = −9.15; 95% CI (−13.69 to −4.60), p < 0.0001). Also, the massage group showed a significant decrease in tactile or oral abnormalities compared with the control group (MD = −4.83; 95% CI (−7.86 to −1.80), p = 0.002). Moreover, parenting stress significantly decreased in the massage group compared to the control group (MD = −4.31; 95% CI (−7.02 to −1.61), p = 0.002). Conclusion: Qigong and traditional Thai massage improved self-regulatory difficul ties and decreased tactile or oral abnor malities in children with autism. Moreover, they decreased parenting stress. How ever, we need more RCTs with larger sample sizes with high quality to assess autistic children and produce more valid results. So, Qigong and traditional Thai massage could be used as a complement to educational and training interventions in children with autism. KEYWORDS: Autism; autism spectrum disorder; ASD; Qigong; massage; traditional Thai massage; meta-analysis; systematic review
... (16,17) According to some studies, massage may have various effects on children with autism, such as decreasing touch aversion and increasing tolerance for tactile stimulation; reducing stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels; improving social skills, communication, and emotional expression; enhancing mood, relaxation, and sleep quality; and alleviating pain, muscle tension, and sensory issues. (18)(19)(20) However, the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of massage for autism is limited, and more research is needed to confirm the benefits and optimal protocols of massage for this population. Also, published literature had a different effect size regarding the effects of massage on autistic children. ...
... In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with ASD. (15,19) ...
... These findings could minimize the effect of massage that the last systemic review stated. (19) Even the ABC, which measures important values, did not show any significant difference in this outcome in a study, (29) despite the authors' belief that the educational program that both groups received reduced autistic behavior. These results indicate the need for more research to confirm and generalize the effect of massage alone on autistic children. ...
Article
Full-text available
Abstract Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about 1 in every 44 children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old had been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Complementary interventions such as massage are crucial for the improvement of the health outcomes of ASD patients, such as abnormal sensory response; Autism Behavior Checklist; parenting stress, self-regulatory difficulties, social, language, and communication abilities; tactile or oral abnormalities; Vineland daily living skills; Vineland socialization; Childhood Autism Rating Scale; Preschool Language Scale 5th Edition (PLS-5) auditory communication; and PLS-5 expressive communication. Purpose: We aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with ASD. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were scoured from their inception through November 15, 2022. Research comparing massage efficacy in children with ASD to other methods or a control group was included. For randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we utilized the Cochrane risk of bias tool; and for cohort studies, we used the tool developed by the National Institutes of Health. Meta-analysis was carried out with Review Manager 5.4. For our continuous data, we calculated the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: We included 10 studies with a total number of 485 children with autism. Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the massage group regarding self-regulatory difficulties (MD = -9.15; 95% CI (-13.69 to -4.60), p < 0.0001). Also, the massage group showed a significant decrease in tactile or oral abnormalities compared with the control group (MD = -4.83; 95% CI (-7.86 to -1.80), p = 0.002). Moreover, parenting stress significantly decreased in the massage group compared to the control group (MD = -4.31; 95% CI (-7.02 to -1.61), p = 0.002). Conclusion: Qigong and traditional Thai massage improved self-regulatory difficulties and decreased tactile or oral abnormalities in children with autism. Moreover, they decreased parenting stress. However, we need more RCTs with larger sample sizes with high quality to assess the different types of massage effects on autistic children and produce more valid results. So, Qigong and traditional Thai massage could be used as a complement to educational and training interventions in children with autism.
... (16,17) According to some studies, massage may have various effects on children with autism, such as decreasing touch aversion and increasing tolerance for tactile stimulation; reducing stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels; improving social skills, communication, and emotional expression; enhancing mood, relaxation, and sleep quality; and alleviating pain, muscle tension, and sensory issues. (18)(19)(20) However, the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of massage for autism is limited, and more research is needed to confirm the benefits and optimal protocols of massage for this population. Also, published literature had a different effect size regarding the effects of massage on autistic children. ...
... In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with ASD. (15,19) ...
... These findings could minimize the effect of massage that the last systemic review stated. (19) Even the ABC, which measures important values, did not show any significant difference in this outcome in a study, (29) despite the authors' belief that the educational program that both groups received reduced autistic behavior. These results indicate the need for more research to confirm and generalize the effect of massage alone on autistic children. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about 1 in every 44 children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old had been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Complementary interventions such as massage are crucial for the improvement of the health outcomes of ASD patients, such as abnormal sensory response; Autism Behavior Checklist; parenting stress, self-regulatory difficulties, social, language, and communication abilities; tactile or oral abnormalities; Vineland daily living skills; Vineland socialization; Childhood Autism Rating Scale; Preschool Language Scale 5th Edition (PLS-5) auditory communication; and PLS-5 expressive communication. Purpose We aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with ASD. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were scoured from their inception through November 15, 2022. Research comparing massage efficacy in children with ASD to other methods or a control group was included. For randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we utilized the Cochrane risk of bias tool; and for cohort studies, we used the tool developed by the National Institutes of Health. Meta-analysis was carried out with Review Manager 5.4. For our continuous data, we calculated the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results We included 10 studies with a total number of 485 children with autism. Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the massage group regarding self-regulatory difficulties (MD = −9.15; 95% CI (−13.69 to −4.60), p < 0.0001). Also, the massage group showed a significant decrease in tactile or oral abnormalities compared with the control group (MD = −4.83; 95% CI (−7.86 to −1.80), p = 0.002). Moreover, parenting stress significantly decreased in the massage group compared to the control group (MD = −4.31; 95% CI (−7.02 to −1.61), p = 0.002). Conclusion Qigong and traditional Thai massage improved self-regulatory difficulties and decreased tactile or oral abnormalities in children with autism. Moreover, they decreased parenting stress. However, we need more RCTs with larger sample sizes with high quality to assess the different types of massage effects on autistic children and produce more valid results. So, Qigong and traditional Thai massage could be used as a complement to educational and training interventions in children with autism.
... Recent studies suggest that Taijiquan and Qigong have several mental health benefits [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. These techniques are suggested to assist in managing anxiety and depression in children and adolescents [18,24] as well as in patients with several health conditions such as breast cancer in women [20] or heart failure in elders [21], for example. ...
... These techniques are suggested to assist in managing anxiety and depression in children and adolescents [18,24] as well as in patients with several health conditions such as breast cancer in women [20] or heart failure in elders [21], for example. The dimension of benefits seems to also reach other complex conditions such as autism [22] or ADHD [23]. ...
... According to Abbott and Lavretsky [33], Taijiquan and Qigong are evidence-based therapies that improve health-related quality of life and can be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. Despite the constant need for improving methodology and research quality, several studies indicate that the benefits of these techniques may indeed be relevant in several contexts of the mental health field [18,[22][23][24][33][34][35][36][37]. Instead of focusing on the treatment of mental disorders, our study focused on the prevention capacities of these techniques, following the therapeutic application as an applied psychophysiological feedback technique. ...
Article
Full-text available
Mandatory lockdown resulting from a pandemic may be effective against the physical impact of the virus; however, the resulting mental strains can lead to the development of several mental disturbances. Taijiquan and Qigong are considered traditional vegetative biofeedback therapies that allow the practitioner to control the functions and processes of the body through specific movements or stances, breathing techniques, and meditative exercises. This study aims to understand if these techniques can be applied as an online distance therapeutic option to reduce the psychological impact of home confinement and social distancing. Sixty-four participants were recruited and allocated to three groups. The experienced and novice Taijiquan and Qigong participants’ groups received the intervention for 8 weeks while the control group did not receive any intervention. The outcomes were psychological well-being and psychological distress levels and were assessed by the Mental Health Inventory and a written interview. The experienced Taijiquan and Qigong participants achieved significant improvements in psychological well-being and psychological distress. Novice Taijiquan and Qigong participants achieved a significant improvement in anxiety levels. Additionally, the control group showed a significant decrease in psychological well-being. This study suggests that this distance online program of Taijiquan and Qigong is feasible and may benefit the mental health of participants during a lockdown.
... Dezoito RS incluíram somente adultos 10,[17][18][19]22,26,31,40,42,44,46,51,65,66,70,75,77,78 , 15 incluíram apenas crianças e adolescentes 9,13,24,29,30,32,39,49,[55][56][57]64,68,69,74 , 6 incluíram somente a população idosa 14,33,34,61,67,72 , e 28 incluíram crianças, adolescentes, adultos ou idosos 8,12,15,16,23,25,27,28,[35][36][37]38,41,43,45,47,48,50,[52][53][54][58][59][60]62,71,73,76 . Três RS não apresentaram essa informação 11,21,63 . ...
... Com relação ao gênero, a amostra de mulheres nos estudos primários variou entre zero 17,20,26,40,56,63,68,71,73 a 100% [16][17][18][19][20]23,24,36,38,40,41,50,[52][53][54]56,59,62,63,71,72,78 . Onze RS não apresentaram essa informação 8,9,11,15,21,29,30,33,34,55,64 . ...
... Cinquenta e cinco RS apresentaram resultados de atividades físicas únicas [9][10][11][12][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]24,25,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][38][39][40]42,43,45,46,[48][49][50][51][52][53][57][58][59][60][62][63][64]66,67,[69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] , quatro RS apresentaram resultados de atividades físicas combinadas 8,14,47,61 e dez RS apresentaram resultados de atividades físicas únicas ou combinadas 23,26,27,37,41,[54][55][56]66,68 . ...
Technical Report
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Pergunta: Quais são os efeitos da atividade física na saúde mental? Métodos: Seguindo protocolo prévio, buscas por revisões sistemáticas (RS) foram realizadas em sete bases eletrônicas da literatura, em agosto de 2021. Foram utilizados atalhos de revisão rápida para simplificar o processo, com inclusão de RS publicadas nos últimos cinco anos e com algumas especificações quanto ao contexto e população. Apenas o processo de seleção foi realizado em duplicata e de forma independente, a extração dos dados com posterior avaliação da qualidade das RS foi feita por um revisor e checada por outro. Os resultados foram reunidos em síntese narrativa conforme similaridade da população avaliada. Resultados: De 2.891 registros identificados nas bases de dados, 71 RS foram incluídas após processo de seleção e elegibilidade. Na avaliação da qualidade metodológica com a ferramenta AMSTAR 2, as RS foram consideradas de confiança criticamente baixa (97,1%) e de confiança baixa (2,9%). As revisões apresentaram resultados de exercícios aeróbicos e anaeróbicos, práticas mente-corpo, esportes, entre outras, em populações sem transtornos mentais ou com transtornos mentais diversos (transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento e neurocognitivos; transtornos depressivos; transtornos de ansiedade; espectro da esquizofrenia e outros transtornos psicóticos; transtornos relacionados a substâncias e transtornos aditivos; transtornos relacionados a trauma e a estressores; transtornos alimentares; diversos transtornos em saúde mental). Os efeitos da atividade física foram analisados para vários desfechos, entre os quais bem-estar, ansiedade, depressão, funções motoras e sociais foram avaliadas clinicamente ou por meio de relatos.
... 12 Qigong is a mind-body practice which archeological evidence suggests originated around 7000 years ago. [13][14][15] There are written records that mention qigong that are dated between 400 and 168 BC. 13,16,17 The practice promotes wellbeing and has several health benefits. 18,19 The term qigong (chi kung) incorporates the traditional Chinese medicine concept of qi (chi), usually translated to mean life's energy, and gong (kung), meaning work or cultivation. ...
... 12 Qigong is a mind-body practice which archeological evidence suggests originated around 7000 years ago. [13][14][15] There are written records that mention qigong that are dated between 400 and 168 BC. 13,16,17 The practice promotes wellbeing and has several health benefits. 18,19 The term qigong (chi kung) incorporates the traditional Chinese medicine concept of qi (chi), usually translated to mean life's energy, and gong (kung), meaning work or cultivation. ...
... It also states that qigong can have a positive effect on emotional regulation by causing changes in several prefrontal regions, the limbic system, and the striatum, or even in the expression of genes related to inflammatory responses and stress-related pathways. Alongside these proposals and several studies that aim to bridge conventional and alternative medicine, 13,20,27,34,51,52 the mechanisms of these complementary techniques are becoming clearer in the Western scientific community, thus improving the related education and research. 53 Considering this, and pertaining to the recent challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, qigong seems useful as a complement to other therapies and politics that aim to assist nurses in managing burnout. ...
Article
Introduction: Burnout is commonly understood as resulting from chronic stress at work. It may have several consequences for the well-being and health of the worker. As a dimension of burnout, emotional exhaustion appears to be predicted mostly by work overload, interpersonal conflicts, and the inadequate use of skills. Emotional exhaustion is considered to be the affective component of burnout and may cause depersonalization. Burnout seems to be highly prevalent among nurses and more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the new demands that the pandemic has placed on health care systems, nurses must be provided specific training in stress coping techniques. Qigong is an applied psychophysiological feedback technique that can be done independently by the practitioner; it enables the user to learn how to control their bodily functions and processes. As such, the objective of this study is to understand if qigong can be used as a complementary therapy for emotional exhaustion in nurses and if it can be implemented during critical events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A total of 44 nurses aged between 27 and 54 years (90.9% female), with high levels of emotional exhaustion, were randomized into intervention and control groups. The "white ball" system of qigong, led by a traditional Chinese medicine specialist, was taught to participants in the intervention group for 4 weeks. After this period, participants had 4 weeks for self-practice. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to capture the nurses' level of emotional exhaustion at the beginning and end of the experimental period, as well as after the 4-week self-practice period. Results: The results showed that 70% of the participants in the intervention group had significantly decreased emotional exhaustion levels, which reduced from high to either moderate (55%) or low (15%) after the experimental phase. Moreover, these benefits were maintained after the 4 weeks of self practice. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that qigong may be used as a complementary tool to mitigate burnout (including that induced by COVID-19) among nurses, thus improving health care services and capacity.
... Studies suggest that these techniques may be capable of providing physical and mental benefits to participants and improve quality of life (Jahnke et al., 2010;Leung et al., 2021;Lopes et al., 2023;Rodrigues et al., 2019;Rodrigues et al., 2023;Zeng et al., 2014;Zou et al., 2017). Several mechanisms of action are proposed regarding Taichi and Qigong, however the most generalized notion is that these therapies have the capacity of modulating the activity of the nervous system (Irwin et al., 2008;Motivala et al., 2006;). ...
... Qigong is a contemporary term that comprise several Chinese mind-body exercises and is characterized by breathing and meditation techniques, and static or dynamic exercises with the objective of regulating one's health and well-being (Matos et al., 2015;Rodrigues et al., 2021). The origins of these practices might be traced back to 5000 BC, and well defined archaeological findings of their medical use dated back to 168 BC (China Sports Magazine, 1985;Porkert, 1974;Rodrigues et al., 2019;Unschuld, 1985). ...
Article
Full-text available
Relevance: The digital transformation, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted the exploration of complementary therapies such as Taichi and Qigong as viable online interventions for enhancing physical and mental well-being. Objective: With this study, we aim to explore the current options and effects regarding the application of Taichi and Qigong digitally. Methodology: This review analyses 15 recent studies on the application of Taichi and Qigong through digital platforms, shedding light on their feasibility and potential benefits. The review encompasses studies focusing on Taichi alone, Taichi and Qigong in combination, and Qigong as both standalone and part of comprehensive programs. Main results: Key findings suggest that these mind-body practices, when adapted for online delivery, can improve mental health, reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, and contribute to physical well-being. While promising, challenges related to space, internet connectivity, and social interaction need to be addressed to optimize these interventions. Contribution to the field: These programs enable the enhancement of health organization management, leading to improved outcomes, cost reduction, and increased patient satisfaction. Conclusions: The digital transition of Taichi and Qigong offers a valuable avenue for accessible healthcare options, but further research and refinement are essential to unlock their full potential in promoting integrative health.
... To date, a few reviews have been conducted to examine the effects of MBE on health-related outcomes in children and adolescents with ASD (Hourston & Atchley, 2017;Rodrigues et al., 2019;Semple, 2019). However, most of them are limited to examining the effects of a single type of MBE (e.g., yoga and Qigong), failing to provide summary information regarding the effectiveness of widely practiced types of other MBEs. ...
... Tai Chi and yoga involve more movement of large muscle groups, and seem to stimulate fewer small muscle groups such as the hands and fingers, which may limit their effect on fine motor functions. Taken together, the present review shows limited body (Rodrigues et al., 2019). The relatively short intervention duration (4 weeks) of Qigong practice might be difficult to elicit a noticeable response especially when compared to an active control group. ...
Article
Full-text available
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of major types of mind-body exercises (MBEs) on health-related outcomes in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Seven major electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to January 3, 2023. Fifteen studies consisting of ten randomized controlled trials and five controlled clinical trials with a total 651 participants aged 3–17 years were identified. While there was some evidence supporting the positive effects of MBE on behavioral problems in children and adolescents with ASD, there was limited evidence supporting their efficacy on other health-related outcomes such as social communication and cognitive functions. Larger and more robust trials with longer follow-up periods are needed to draw more definitive conclusions.
... Based on philosophical principles and careful observations of both nature and the human body, traditional Chinese medicine has its roots deeply embedded in a rich history that spans millennia [14][15][16][17][18] . Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine therapeutic technique based on the stimulation with needles on specific catalogued points, validated by a long history of use among Eastern societies [19][20][21][22] . ...
Article
Full-text available
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatment options. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, has emerged as a potential complementary therapy for Alzheimer's disease. By searching major databases, this narrative review analyses the current state of evidence of acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease management. Preclinical studies suggest that acupuncture may improve cognitive function by promoting neuro-genesis and reducing neuroinflammation, while human studies provide some evidence for acu-puncture's benefits in cognitive function. Acupuncture may also address Alzheimer's disease-related comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and pain. However, high-quality clinical trials are limited. While preliminary evidence suggests acupuncture's potential for Alzheimer's disease, further research, including larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials, is necessary to definitively establish its efficacy, optimize treatment protocols, and elucidate its mechanisms of action. Acupuncture may offer a valuable complementary therapy for Alzheimer's disease, improving patients' quality of life. Resumo: A doença de Alzheimer é uma doença neurodegenerativa progressiva com opções de tra-tamento limitadas. A acupuntura, uma técnica da medicina tradicional chinesa, surgiu como uma potencial terapia complementar para a doença de Alzheimer. Ao pesquisar as principais bases de dados, esta revisão narrativa analisa o estado atual da evidência da acupuntura para o tratamento da doença de Alzheimer. Estudos pré-clínicos sugerem que a acupuntura pode melhorar a função cognitiva, promovendo a neurogénese e reduzindo a neuroinflamação, enquanto estudos em humanos fornecem algumas evidências dos benefícios da acupuntura na função cognitiva. A acupuntura também pode tratar comorbidades relacionadas à doença de Alzheimer, como depressão, ansiedade e dor. No entanto, os ensaios clínicos de alta qualidade são limitados. Embora evidências preliminares sugiram o po-tencial da acupuntura para a doença de Alzheimer, mais investigação, incluindo ensaios clínicos randomizados maiores e bem desenhados, é necessária para estabelecer definitivamente a sua efi-cácia, otimizar protocolos de tratamento e elucidar os seus mecanismos de ação. A acupuntura pode oferecer uma valiosa opção complementar para o tratamento da doença de Alzheimer, melhorando a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Palavras-chave: Acupuntura; Medicina Tradicional Chinesa; doença de Alzheimer; Demência; Doenças Neurodegenerativas.
... 27 In both countries, traditional medicine is also used by parents, eg, Qigong massage in Taiwan and Thai massage in Thailand. 28,29 Thailand has emerged as a leading destination for stem cell therapy designed for autism, although at this time there is no evidence for its effectiveness. 30 Both Taiwan values and beliefs about disabilities may affect prevalence rates around the world. ...
Article
Full-text available
The prevalence of autism is increasing worldwide. The majority of autism research and development of autism assessments and interventions has been conducted in Western cultures. The prevalence of autism is reportedly lower in Asian versus Western cultures, but this is likely due to lack of personnel and uniform criteria for diagnosing autism. This article describes how two Asian cultures, Taiwan and Thailand, are dealing with the increasing identification of autistic children. National universal healthcare in both Taiwan and Thailand provides a mechanism for assessment and diagnosis of young children, but a lack of a sufficient number of trained professionals limits the availability of intervention services. A focus of research in these cultures has been on parents’ experiences and coping with the stigma and stress of having an autistic child. Cultural values associated with Confucianism and Buddhism influence attitudes toward persons with disability and how parents of autistic children experience and cope with stigma and stress. Both areas have national laws that provide a range of educational opportunities for autistic children, including inclusion into general education classrooms. Special education and general education teachers, however, have little specific training in autism. Speech and language services are rarely offered in public school programs. Available speech and language services are limited to consultation with teachers a few times a year. In general, parents of autistic children are supportive of inclusion programs, but teachers and parents of both autistic and typically developing children express concerns about the ability to implement such programs in ways that are beneficial to all children.
... Pijatan dapat meningkatkan tonus otot, fungsi motorik kasar dan halus, mobilitas pada anak autisme, meningkatkan pengendalian diri, kemampuan bersosialisasi, kesadaran sensorik dan kognitif, dan mengurangi kecemasan. (Rodrigues, Mestre, & Fredes, 2019) (Jerger, et al., 2018). Penanganan dengan terapi pijat aman dilakukan, efektif, dan efisien sehingga semua kalangan bisa mendapatkan perlakuan ini. ...
Book
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Kehadiran buku ini dapat memberi pandangan mengenai pemanfaatan teknologi dalam dunia olahraga dan kesehatan,sehinga pendidikan jasmani, ilmu keohlaragaan dan Kesehatan dapat berlangsung dengan baik dan optimal dengan peran teknologi yang dapat digunakan. Selain itu, dalam buku ini juga memberikan gambaran tentang problematika dan dinamika olahraga dan kesehatan pada era teknologi. Buku ini terdiri dari tiga bab dengan yang pertama membahas Teknologi dalam pembelajaran penjas sehingga pembelajaran penjas dapat berjalan dengan mudah dengan adanya dukungan teknologi. Kedua, peran teknologi dalam cabang olahraga. Dengan memuat materi tersebut hal ini sangat diperlukan dalam cabang olahraga untuk menunjang kinerja dari manusia dalam mengawasi pelaksanaan olahraga. Ketiga, Problematika dan dinamika olahraga dan Kesehatan pada era teknologi. Dalam pembahasan buku ini memberikan gambaran problematika dan dinamika dari dunia olahraga dan kesehatan pada era teknologi, serta pemecahan masalah pada era teknologi di dunia olahraga dan kesehatan
... Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, with archaeological findings suggesting its presence as early as 5000 BC (Jahnke et al., 2010;Rodrigues et al., 2022;Toneti et al., 2020). However, concrete evidence can only date back these techniques to as early as the period between 400 BC and 168 BC (Rodrigues et al., 2019;Veith et al., 1966;China Sports Magazine, 1985). Contemporary theory considers Qigong a patient-guided psychophysiological feedback technique, enabling individuals to learn and control bodily functions through selective contraction or stretching of body segments, relaxation, meditative visualization, and breathing techniques . ...
... Creciente evidencia ha demostrado que intervenciones del campo de la medicina integrativa promueven la autorregulación emocional y el desarrollo de emociones positivas y que ello contribuye a mejorar la respuesta inmune (11,19). Estas incluyen prácticas de integración cuerpo-mente (e. g., yoga, taichi, qigong, biodanza y meditación) que favorecen procesos emocionales y cognitivos (20)(21)(22)(23)(24), reequilibrando el sistema nervioso autónomo al incrementarse la actividad del sistema nervioso parasimpático (3). En línea con esto, se ha comprobado que una mayor conciencia de los propios estados corporales puede propiciar la autorregulación emocional que, a su vez, favorece las habilidades sociales (25)(26)(27)(28). ...
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Introducción: recientes investigaciones provenientes de diversos campos emergentes como la psiconeuroinmunología, la medicina integrativa o la epigenética han dado cuenta de la estrecha vinculación entre los estados emocionales y la salud. El objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia de una intervención basada en la realización de prácticas de integración cuerpo-mente sobre la regulación emocional. Materiales y métodos: en 102 participantes, de entre 34 y 65 años de edad, se analizaron cambios en la Escala de Afectividad Positiva y Negativa (PANAS), antes y después de participar en la intervención propuesta, que se realizó durante ocho encuentros de seis horas de duración cada uno, a lo largo de cuatro meses. Resultados: se encontró un aumento en la afectividad positiva y una disminución en la afectividad negativa luego de la intervención. El índice de afectividad (i. e. afectividad positiva/afectividad negativa) se incrementó de una relación 2:1 a una relación 3:1. Esta última proporción ha sido asociada con estados saludables. Conclusiones: el estudio contribuye a demostrar el beneficio que brindan las prácticas de integración cuerpo-mente en la regulación emocional y la afectividad positiva. Esto podría propiciar un mayor bienestar psicofísico individual y colectivo.
... Physical function measured with a wide variety of performance indicators, such as balance, strength, flexibility and handgrip, showed significant improvements with both Qigong and Tai Chi exercises for sedentary elderly healthy adults or those deemed at risk for falls compared to a control intervention or waitlist control [121][122][123][124][125]. Qigong exercises may reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and improve the body functions of patients in both the mild and moderate stages [126]. Furthermore, it may promote an im-provement in healthy physical behavior, self-control, sociability and sensory and cognitive awareness in behavioral and autism disorders [105,127]. Compared to inactive control groups, Qigong practice enhanced self-efficacy and the ability to handle stress and novel experiences in patients with perceived symptoms (without a diagnosis) [114,128]. Selfreported neck pain and disability [129] and fibromyalgia symptoms [130] improved slightly with Qigong compared to other exercise interventions or usual care control. ...
Article
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Breathing is crucial in life; nevertheless, the healthcare community often overlooks the health potential of breathing techniques. Conscious manipulation of breathing to achieve specific health goals is found in yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi. This paper reviews the value of breathing exercises as a foremost mechanism for promoting, recuperating and maintaining health. Practices involving breathing techniques are described, and their prophylactic or therapeutic characteristics are explored. The main goals of this review are: (i) to summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that breathing practices have a significant beneficial impact on human health; (ii) to provide a deeper understanding of traditional biofeedback practices, particularly yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi, and outline their focus on breathing techniques; (iii) to outline specific immune-related responses, relevant for COVID-19 disorders; and (iv) to call for committed attention and action from the scientific community and health agencies in promoting the implementation of a practical and costless health program based on breathing techniques. This review shows the health potentials of breathing practices and exercises, which, by having a high benefit–cost ratio, could be selected and implemented as a primary standard routine in public health programs.
... On one hand, qigong techniques have been developed as a health-enhancing practice since the initial stages of humanity. 64 Classical texts that were written between 400 and 100 BC support this idea. 65,66 On the other hand, taijiquan was originally developed as a self-defense martial art technique that incorporated traditional Chinese medicine philosophies common to qigong. ...
Article
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Background • Taijiquan and qigong are traditional Chinese therapeutic disciplines with several health benefits and the ability to improve the quality of life of their practitioners. As traditional vegetative biofeedback therapies, they can activate functional vegetative changes in the body. These neurovegetative actions have been studied in the last few years to better explain the mechanisms through which these techniques of traditional Chinese medicine work. Primary Study Objective • To support current research, it is important to further explore these neurovegetative actions according to contemporary Chinese medicine models to clarify the mechanisms of their working in light of conventional medical terms. This study aims to explore the health benefits that these practices may produce for practitioners. Methods • 345 taijiquan and qigong practitioners were recruited for this study to assess the perceived health benefits of taijiquan and qigong. We conducted a survey to assist in this purpose. Results • Taijiquan combined with qigong may be more beneficial than taijiquan alone. Additionally, these practices seem to produce notable benefits for anxiety, depression, and other emotional disturbances. They also seem to have positive results in addressing arthritis and pain in the back, shoulder, neck, and knees. In addition, taijiquan and qigong may have benefits in managing several digestive, neurological, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases, and provide some assistance in the management of some oncologic conditions. Conclusion • Breathing exercises, slow and controlled movement, self-massage, and directed thought are the therapeutic characteristics that allow this wide range of potential, perceived health benefits. More scientific studies are needed to confirm the mechanisms through which taijiquan and qigong may benefit health. However, it is suggested that these techniques may have an impact on health mainly via the modulation of the autonomic nervous system.
... escola básica do Cedro em Vila Nova de Gaia, que pretendeu entender como o Taijiquan e o Qigong poderiam atuar na ansiedade-depressão em crianças em idade escolar com uma intervenção ao longo de um ano escolar (Rodrigues et al., 2021b). Este estudo reflete sobre os resultados e na forma de atuação destas técnicas que podem ser consideradas como uma terapia cognitivo-comportamental com base no mindfulness No entanto, outros estudos portugueses sugerem que tanto o Taijiquan como o Qigong podem ser terapias complementares em vários domínios da saúde mental das crianças(Rodrigues et al., 2019b;Rodrigues et al., 2019a). Com adultos, um estudo(Rodrigues et al., in press) conclui que a saúde mental parece ser das dimensões da saúde mais beneficiadas por indivíduos praticantes de Taijiquan e Qigong. ...
Thesis
The adaptation of the human being to the rhythm of the current society involves an enormous physical, mental and social effort, being the strategies to overcome these demands of modern society often insufficient. In addition, living and working in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is currently assumed to have harmed mental health, potentially leading to the development of mental illness, and, consequently, having a negative impact on daily life, contributing to worse educational outcomes, higher unemployment rates, and worse physical health. This study aimed to identify the impact of the pandemic and the perception of the influence of a distance program, composed of traditional vegetative biofeedback techniques, on the mental health of participants during the first year of isolation/social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify the advantages and disadvantages of this type of distance program. Participants were recruited through direct email contact to all participants of the distance program of Taijiquan and Qigong, developed at Instituto Português de Taichi e Chikung from March 2020 until the moment of the contact in May 2021. Data were collected during 2021 through a semi-structured interview with nine participants, aged between 26 and 57 years old (M=46.56 SD=11.37), with 67% (n=6) being female. The results revealed that the pandemic had a negative impact on the personal, occupational and family lives of the participants, and indicate that the developed program of traditional vegetative biofeedback techniques can provide mental management tools that help in the fight against anxiety and in the emotional and stress management, as well as in the fight against occupational and family stress. The program appears to have benefited physical and mental stability, and helped to deal with the specific pressures of the pandemic. In addition, the program proved to have advantages of accessibility and to allow an evolution and autonomy in the addressed therapeutic techniques, with the number of sessions and their duration considered adequate. However, the inefficient instructor-participant and participant-participant interaction can be improved by implementing a more effective method of session transmission, without harming participants without access to capable technological procedures. This type of programs can also be included in the work context, and its application in the post�pandemic era seems to be practical and beneficial for workers’ physical and mental health. Thus, the online program of traditional vegetative biofeedback techniques revealed physical and mental benefits for the participants, proved to be practical, easily accessible and low-cost, and can be applied in pandemic and non-pandemic situations in which the population does not have access to conventional intervention.
... Some studies using TCM techniques other than behavioral therapies in ASD have already been performed and have reported beneficial effects, including acupuncture (10,22,23), Tuina (24)(25)(26), Qigong (27,28), and herbal medicine (29). There is an inadequacy in the description of ASD in TCM in ancient documents. ...
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Background The clinical presentation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is heterogeneous, and there are little data available on the treatment of children with different types of ASD. We sought to explore which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome type was more effective for children with ASD after 3 months of Early Denver Model intervention and to analyze the reasons for its efficacy from the perspective of TCM. Methods This was a retrospective study. The subjects were children with ASD who were first diagnosed at the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, the First Hospital of Jilin University, between December 2018 and September 2019. Eighty-nine children were divided into a kidney jing deficiency group, a liver qi stagnation group, and a group with deficiency of both the heart and spleen. Results After treatment, the total Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, and Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores were significantly reduced in the three groups ( p < 0.05) compared to before treatment. Significant improvements were seen in all five domains of the Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese version in the LQ group ( p < 0.05). After intervention, the LQ group showed greater improvements compared to the other two groups in the language, eye–hand coordination, body and object use, social and self-help, and total ABC scores. Conclusion Our study showed that Early Denver Model intervention is effective in the treatment of three syndrome types of children with ASD, with the LQ group experiencing the most significant effects.
... Na perspectiva da MTC, Liu (2009) Apesar de estranhas às concepções ocidentais, as práticas do Qigong já foram testadas por diversos ensaios controlados, que demonstraram resultados relevantes de melhora em funções físicas, psicológicas, emocionais, em diferentes grupos populacionais (ZOU et al. 2017). Rodrigues et al. (2019) apresentou uma revisão sistemática na qual, após a análise de dez estudos, verificaram resultados promissores da prática do Qigong como tratamento alternativo para condições de desordem associadas ao espectro do autismo em crianças e adolescentes. Em outra revisão sistemática com metanálise de ensaios controlados randomizados, exercícios de Qigong mostraram-se efetivos para diminuição da fatiga em mulheres em tratamento de câncer de pulmão (KUO et al., 2021). ...
Article
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Resumo Algumas práticas tradicionais orientais já demonstraram evidências relevantes no que diz respeito ao desenvolvimento de aspectos relacionados ao bem-estar e à saúde de diversas populações. Entretanto, a relação com aspectos educacionais não está clara. O Qigong é uma prática corporal oriental tradicional com efeitos positivos sobre fatores psicológicos, emocionais, afetivos, físicos, fatores estes que podem impactar no desenvolvimento escolar. Apesar de alguns estudos relatarem a prática de Qigong em contexto escolar, não se observa uma sistematização dos achados e sobre quais desfechos a prática pode atuar. Diante disso, o objetivo dessa revisão de escopo é demonstrar o quanto é explorada a prática de Qigong em contexto escolar, de que forma se apresentam as intervenções e quais os principais resultados relacionados a desfechos educacionais. Para tal, foram selecionadas as bases Eric/Thesaurus, PubMed/Mediline, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde/BVS e ASP/Ebsco. Para a identificação dos artigos nas bases de dados, foram elencados os descritores "Schools";
... Currently, some Tuina manipulations have been applied as interventions for children with ASD [22,23] with a certain degree of success [24]. Qigong Tuina, which is a specific Tuina intervention in children with ASD [25,26], has been shown to improve the symptoms of children with ASD. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive stereotypical behavior and communication deficits. Currently, it lacks a specific clinical treatment method. Pediatric Tuina is a recent therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used to treat children with ASD. Nonetheless, it remains uncommon given the lack of large-scale evidence-based medical studies. This study aims to compare the efficacy of Tuina and conventional treatment in children with ASD. Methods Eligible children will be randomly assigned to either the pediatric Tuina plus conventional treatment group or to the conventional treatment alone group based on a random table at a ratio of 1:1. The effectiveness of the Tuina intervention for ASD will be evaluated by a third-party organization. The pre- and post-intervention scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale comprised the primary outcome, whereas pre- and post-intervention scores on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist were the secondary outcomes to assess improvement in symptoms. Baseline values of the participants will be determined at the time of registration. Outcomes will be evaluated after the 30th treatment session. The follow-up period will last for 6 months after treatment. Discussion This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tuina in the treatment of ASD. The results of this study could provide reliable evidence to improve the management of patients with ASD. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (CHICTR), ChiCTR2000040452. Registered on 28 November 2020.
... Notably, touch deprivation is associated with altered sensory thresholds, depression, and self-aggression (Field, 2005), which are frequent symptoms of ASD. On the other hand, people with ASD seem to benefit from intervention through massage and social touch (Rodrigues et al., 2019). A recent study suggested that 5 months of daily parentdelivered massage and weekly sessions of therapist-delivered massage brought great benefits to preschool children with ASD. ...
Article
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Humans are by nature social beings tuned to communicate and interact from the very beginning of their lives. The sense of touch represents the most direct and intimate channel of communication and a powerful means of connection between the self and the others. In our digital age, the development and diffusion of internet-based technologies and virtual environments offer new opportunities of communication overcoming physical distance. It however, happens that social interactions are often mediated, and the tactile aspects of communication are overlooked, thus diminishing the feeling of social presence, which may contribute to an increased sense of social disconnection and loneliness. The current manuscript aims to review the extant literature about the socio-affective dimension of touch and current advancements in interactive virtual environments in order to provide a new perspective on multisensory virtual communication. Specifically, we suggest that interpersonal affective touch might critically impact virtual social exchanges, promoting a sense of co-presence and social connection between individuals, possibly overcoming feelings of sensory loneliness. This topic of investigation will be of crucial relevance from a theoretical perspective aiming to understand how we integrate multisensory signals in processing and making sense of interpersonal exchanges, this is important in both typical and atypical populations. Moreover, it will pave the way to promising applications by exploring the possibility to use technical innovations to communicate more interactively in the case of people who suffer from social isolation and disconnection from others.
... For example, the potential efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine in ASD has been discussed although the researchers could not make any evidence-based recommendations for adoption of such therapies (Brondino et al., 2015). A study showed that certain alternative therapies such as Qigong may only be used as a complement, or when behavioural therapies are not accessible (Rodrigues et al., 2019). It is possible that monetary/service restriction in these states might be a factor in families accessing these therapies for their children. ...
Article
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We examined the effects of insurance type on health service utilization among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following autism insurance reform by analyzing the most recent data from the 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health. Families with private insurance were less likely to report that their health insurance covered needed services compared to families with public insurance. Privately versus publicly insured children were not significantly different in receiving behavioral or medication treatment, or in parental frustration in efforts to obtain services. However, parents’ frustration escalated with increased ASD severity. Findings from this study suggest the need for continuing to improve implementation of health insurance reform legislation and providing adequate ASD-related services for children with private insurance.
... 41,42 Researchers often find it difficult to understand the mechanisms through which traditional Chinese medicine acts on the body. However, some have been demystifying these techniques, bridging Western understanding, [43][44][45][46][47] allowing Chinese medicine to be considered a traditional model of vegetative system biology with a systemic therapeutic approach, 48,49 employing vegetative reflex therapies such as acupuncture 50 to regulate the nervous, circulatory, endocrine, and exocrine systems, achieving an improved state of well-being. 51 This clinical study was performed to unveil the rationale behind the classic texts of Chinese medicine and the relationships that integrate the view of classical acupuncture treatment with current anatomical-physiological knowledge, applying it to specific cases of CTS and, of course, to understand its effectiveness. ...
Article
Objective The purpose of this clinical study is to demonstrate the effect of classical acupuncture on the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and the relationships that integrate the view of classical acupuncture treatment with current anatomical-physiological knowledge. Design A clinical study was carried out with patients with CTS. Setting The treatments were conducted in a private healthcare practice by a licensed acupuncturist. Participants The five participants presented symptomatology for a period of no less than 6 months, had been diagnosed through electromyography, and additionally showed a positive test for Phalen's maneuver test. All the patients had surgical indications. Interventions Classical Chinese acupuncture was applied during a cycle of treatments. Main measurements The Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the level of discomfort regarding daytime paresthesia, nighttime paresthesia, pain, decrease in strength, and a proposed converted value of pressure pain threshold. Results All the parameters showed significant improvement. The mean difference was negative for pain (− 7,4 points), daytime paresthesia (− 5,2 points), nighttime paresthesia (− 6,2 points), and loss of strength (− 4,6 points), whereas the estimation for the pressure pain threshold was positive (+ 0,683 kgf/cm²). Conclusions In the analysis of the results obtained through the classical acupuncture therapy, all parameters showed an improvement, which suggests and supports evidence of clinical efficacy on the CTS.
... Currently, some Tuina manipulations have been applied as interventions for children with ASD [22,23], with a certain degree of e cacy [24]. Qigong Tuina, which is a speci c Tuina intervention in children with ASD [25,26], has been shown to improve the symptoms of children with ASD. ...
Preprint
Full-text available
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by repetitive stereotypical behaviour and communication disorders. Currently, it lacks a specific clinical treatment method. Pediatric Tuina is a recent therapy in traditional Chinese medicine; however, there have been studies on the treatment of children with ASD by Tuina. Nonetheless, it remains uncommon given the lack of large-scale evidence-based medical studies. This study aims to compare the efficacy of Tuina and conventional treatment in children with ASD. Methods Eligible children will be randomly divided into the pediatric Tuina plus conventional treatment group or conventional treatment group based on a random table at a ratio of 1:1. Effectiveness will be evaluated using a scale; moreover, the primary outcome will be the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The secondary outcome will be the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. All participants will be assessed on the scale by a third party not involved in the study. Baseline values of the participants will be determined at the registration time. Outcomes will be evaluated after the 30th treatment session. The follow-up period will last for 6 post-treatment months. Discussion This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tuina in ASD treatment, which could provide reliable evidence-based findings to improve clinical treatment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (CHICTR), ChiCTR2000040452. Registered on 28 November 2020
... Many books and articles have been written about this traditional Chinese medicine tool as well . It is also a set of gentle exercises that generate qi, which has beneficial healing effects for a wide variety of ailments, including, but not limited to ankylosing spondylitis [75-76], anxiety and stress reduction [77-82], arthritis [83][84][85][86][87][88][89], autism [90], back pain [91][92], cancer , cognitive impairment [116][117][118][119], COPD [120][121], COVID-19 [122][123], depression [124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134], elder care [135][136][137][138], fibromyalgia [139][140][141], longevity [142][143][144], Parkinson's Disease [145][146], and traumatic brain injury [147], to name a few. The present article focuses on the beneficial effects of tai chi and qigong exercises on hypertension and blood pressure. ...
Article
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Citation: Robert W McGee. Tai Chi, Qi-gong, and the Treatment of Hyperten-sion. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 39(1)-2021. BJSTR. MS.ID.006256. Qigong and tai chi are both considered tools in the toolbox of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Qigong has been in existence for thousands of years, whereas tai chi is of a more recent origin. Both are considered low-impact exercises that have numerous health benefits. The present article reviews some studies on the treatment of hypertension and high blood pressure using one or both of these tools of TCM. Numerous studies have found that tai chi and qigong exercises can have a significant positive impact on blood pressure, nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels.
... Studies on the effectiveness of mind-body interventions in people on the autism spectrum have included yoga on maladaptive behavior and imitation skill (Chan et al., 2013) and Nei Yang Gong, a Chinese mind-body exercise. Four weeks of Nei Yang Gong improved self-control in 6-17 year olds with ASD (Rodrigues et al., 2019). The mindful practice of attention in the present moment and deliberate actions may help regulate attention and the results of this study showed that mindfulness training can lead to decrease aggressive behavior in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (Singh et al., 2011). ...
Article
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This quasi-experimental study investigated effects of Tai Chi Chuan training on stereotypic behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty-three participants (mean age = 9.60 ± 1.40 years) were assigned to experimental (N = 12) and control (N = 11) groups. The experimental group received 12 weeks of Tai Chi training and all participants had pre, post, and one-month follow-up assessments. Stereotypic behavior measured using Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2 Scores, was significantly altered by ~ 25% in the Tai Chi Chuan group. Behavioral change was maintained at follow up since there was no significant difference between that and the posttest. In conclusion, Tai Chi Chuan training is a useful and appropriate intervention to modulate behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
... Currently, some Tuina manipulations have been applied as interventions for children with ASD [22,23], with a certain degree of e cacy [24]. Qigong Tuina, which is a speci c Tuina intervention in children with ASD [25,26], has been shown to improve the symptoms of children with ASD. ...
Preprint
Full-text available
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by repetitive stereotypical behaviour and communication disorders. Currently, it lacks a specific clinical treatment method. Pediatric Tuina is a recent therapy in traditional Chinese medicine; however, there have been studies on the treatment of children with ASD by Tuina. Nonetheless, it remains uncommon given the lack of large-scale evidence-based medical studies. This study aims to compare the efficacy of Tuina and conventional treatment in children with ASD. Methods Eligible children will be randomly divided into the pediatric Tuina plus conventional treatment group or conventional treatment group based on a random table at a ratio of 1:1. Effectiveness will be evaluated using a scale; moreover, the primary outcome will be the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The secondary outcome will be the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. All participants will be assessed on the scale by a third party not involved in the study. Baseline values of the participants will be determined at the registration time. Outcomes will be evaluated after the 30th treatment session. The follow-up period will last for 6 post-treatment months. Discussion This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tuina in ASD treatment, which could provide reliable evidence-based findings to improve clinical treatment. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (CHICTR), ChiCTR2000040452. Registered on 28 November 2020
... Lastly, due to the limitations in the questionnaires, it was not possible to identify the type of treatment the participating patients received. Among the CAM treatments [5,33], vitamins and minerals, probiotics, yoga, qigong, meditation, tai chi, relation techniques, and hypnotherapy are rarely used in TKM clinics, and health insurance coverage of TKM treatment [11] includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna, cupping, and moxibustion. Therefore, it is difficult to compare the usage status and perception of TKM and CAM at the same level and generalize the results of this study. ...
Article
Full-text available
Korea is currently executing a pilot program for community care of its aging population and aims to implement community care systems on a national scale by 2025. This study examines the traditional Korean medicine (TKM) service to be provided within community care by understanding the current status of TKM services. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) sent official letters to 242 local governments (cities, districts, and counties) from October to November 2019 to survey the status of the public TKM services provided in 2018. The items of the survey included basic demographic information as well as information that could reveal how the program was implemented. In 112 local government jurisdictions (response rate 46.3%), a total of 867 TKM service programs were in place. As a result of the survey, it was revealed that they did not have any service manuals or evaluation results. To provide home-care-based TKM service for the elderly as an integrated part of a community care system, it is necessary to develop, distribute, and evaluate a standard service manual including an evaluation index by the central government.
... Lastly, due to the limitations in the questionnaires, it was not possible to identify the type of treatment the participating patients received. Among the CAM treatments [5,33], vitamins and minerals, probiotics, yoga, qigong, meditation, tai chi, relation techniques, and hypnotherapy are rarely used in TKM clinics, and health insurance coverage of TKM treatment [11] includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna, cupping, and moxibustion. Therefore, it is difficult to compare the usage status and perception of TKM and CAM at the same level and generalize the results of this study. ...
... Lastly, due to the limitations in the questionnaires, it was not possible to identify the type of treatment the participating patients received. Among the CAM treatments [5,33], vitamins and minerals, probiotics, yoga, qigong, meditation, tai chi, relation techniques, and hypnotherapy are rarely used in TKM clinics, and health insurance coverage of TKM treatment [11] includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, chuna, cupping, and moxibustion. Therefore, it is difficult to compare the usage status and perception of TKM and CAM at the same level and generalize the results of this study. ...
Article
Full-text available
This cross-sectional study investigated the correlation between parents’ perception and their children’s traditional Korean medicine (TKM) use reported by parents in order to discover policy intervention points and provide a reference for establishing generalized TKM policies. Participant data from a 2017 national survey on TKM usage was divided into two groups based on the children’s TKM use reported by parents. The female participants’ children had a higher rate of experience in using TKM (8.1%; p = 0.029). Additionally, 91.4% of the parent group with a child who used TKM turned out to have used TKM, which was higher than 71.9% of the parents whose children never used TKM (p < 0.001). As for the awareness on the use of TKM, 44.0% of the parents with a child who experienced TKM answered they were aware of it, while only 35.3% of the parent group whose child never experienced TKM did so (p = 0.033). The present study suggests that parental experience in using TKM could have an impact on the children’s TKM use reported by parents. Further study is necessary to assess which parental factor (awareness level, medical disorder to be treated, therapy, therapeutic efficacy, the purpose of visit, sex, age, etc.) has a close relationship with TKM usage experience of their children.
... Analyzing the outputs of the literature review one may conclude about the high potential of these two therapeutic tools to address specifically the S (sensations) and I (images) dimensions of the Multimodal therapy according to Lazarus. TJQ and QG as biofeedback and sensorial exercises of large neuro vegetative regulatory capacity improves some body sensations (S) and related physiological symptoms such as pain, tension, sweat, heart rate variability, involuntary trembling, etc. (Haak and Scott, 2008;Rodrigues et al., 2019;Zou et al., 2017). ...
Article
Introduction The development and well-being of children are directly linked to several aspects. Among those aspects, physical activity, an adequate nutrition, and a healthy mind, seem to be of crucial importance. Psychopathologies, such as anxiety and depression, have a negative impact on life, especially when co-occurring (mixed-anxiety depression disorder/cothymia), and the clinical implications include a higher risk of suicide and psychiatric hospitalization, elevated disability, decreased compliance with medical treatment, and considerably increased usage of medical services. Thus, research in conventional and nonconventional modalities is necessary to address this issue. The main objective of this study was to understand if TJQ and QG could be effective as a mindfulness cognitive-behavioural based therapeutic tool with body movement, for the treatment of children suffering from cothymia. Methods In this small study, six selected children, four males and two females aged between 7 and 11 years old, were taught a set of exercises of TaijiQuan (TJQ) and Qi Gong (QG). To obtain the results, the Achenbach Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) was applied at the beginning of the experimental period, as well as at the ending of the experimental period. The resulting scores were analysed to observe the difference between both moments of evaluation. Results Results showed some improvements in symptoms, with an average improvement of 46%. Conclusion TJQ and QG seem to be a promising complementary therapeutic tool in cognitive-behavioural approaches for children who suffer from cothymia, as well as prevention and control for children who may not display symptoms at a clinical level. However, further research is needed in order to understand the full potential of these therapeutic exercises.
... The methods used by TCM, for the most part, are characterized by being non to very little invasive and the substances used are also mostly obtained naturally. As such, it is also a legitimate way to try to solve it with this type of approach, as several authors have already tried in other areas [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] . ...
Article
Objective The purpose of this study is to review the impact on the usage of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of obesity, specifically the usage of acupuncture and phytoacupuncture. Methods PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials, which the methodology focused on the use of acupuncture and phytoacupuncture for the treatment of obesity from the beginning of these databases to February 2018, supplementing with literature retrospective and manual searches. Results A total of 8 trials including 566 participants met the selected criteria. In the alterations of the body mass index and waist circumference, acupuncture and phytoacupuncture seems to have a positive effect as opposed to the subjects who received superficial acupuncture or none. However, there were other parameters that showed promising results such as improvements in the levels of (1) serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and serum fasting triglyceride, (2) serum insulin and leptin, plasma ghrelin and cholecystokinin and (3) serum pro-oxidant antioxidant balance, as well as improvements in (4) skin fat thickness in the upper limbs, trunk and abdomen, (5) abdominal fat and deep subcutaneous fat tissue. The main acupoints employed in the selected studies are found along several meridians such as the stomach, spleen and conception vessel, and the plants used had the main objective of accelerating the metabolism, reducing appetite and resolving the unbalances in the genesis of obesity. Conclusion It is suggested that acupuncture and phytoacupuncture can be useful tools for weight loss. When combined with a life-style change, they can contribute to achieve better results than just a life-style change by itself. Nevertheless, the need for further studies to clarify mechanisms of action and adequacy of protocols in order to obtain more homogeneous results is also present.
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Background: The wellbeing of children is influenced by various factors, including physical activity, nutrition, and mental health. Qigong, a therapeutic practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has shown potential benefits for both physical and mental health. Wu Qin Xi, a specific set of Qigong exercises, is attributed to Hua Tuo, a renowned ancient Chinese physician. With roots in shamanic practices, Wu Qin Xi aims to connect practitioners with nature’s transformative forces to achieve therapeutic goals. Materials and Methods: This systematic review explores the effects of Wu Qin Xi on children’s health and wellbeing. A systematic literature search across multiple databases yielded a total of eight relevant studies. Results: The results indicate promising benefits of Wu Qin Xi for children’s health. In autism spectrum disorder, improvements were observed in behavior and sensory integration. In asthma, Wu Qin Xi led to enhanced lung function and improved quality of life. Similarly, children with lobar pneumonia experienced better pulmonary function and shorter hospital stays. In children with spinal abnormalities, this Qigong technique improved mobility and posture. In addition, Wu Qin Xi showed potential for reducing stress levels and improving cognitive abilities. However, the quality of the included studies varied, with limitations such as small sample sizes and mixed intervention approaches. Conclusion: While Wu Qin Xi holds promise as a complementary therapy for managing various conditions in children, further research with improved study designs and larger sample sizes is warranted to validate its effectiveness comprehensively.
Chapter
Over the last decade, the amount of attention on autism has continued to increase among professionals and parents alike. Particular emphasis is placed on the care of young children with the disorder. The growing recognition that autism is a lifelong condition that can be best supported by interventions provided as early as possible has been a major catalyst for these developments. In this chapter, we discuss some of the advances that have occurred since the first edition of our volume was published. Among these subject areas are the continuing increase in the prevalence rates of autism in the general population, issues that have cropped up around the world since the COVID-19 pandemic, trends in the types of treatments that are being applied along with their impacts on parents, and the incorporation of technology. Issues in diagnosis and assessment have emerged as have new or modified treatments, some of which are wacky whereas others that are mainstream. These topics are hardly the only new issues covered in this expansive text, but they do provide some notions about how the field is expanding and maturing.
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Editora Direitos para esta edição cedidos à Atena Editora pelos autores. Open access publication by Atena Editora Todo o conteúdo deste livro está licenciado sob uma Licença de Atribuição Creative Commons. Atribuição-Não-Comercial-NãoDerivativos 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). O conteúdo do texto e seus dados em sua forma, correção e confiabilidade são de responsabilidade exclusiva dos autores, inclusive não representam necessariamente a posição oficial da Atena Editora. Permitido o download da obra e o compartilhamento desde que sejam atribuídos créditos aos autores, mas sem a possibilidade de alterá-la de nenhuma forma ou utilizá-la para fins comerciais. Todos os manuscritos foram previamente submetidos à avaliação cega pelos pares, membros do Conselho Editorial desta Editora, tendo sido aprovados para a publicação com base em critérios de neutralidade e imparcialidade acadêmica. A Atena Editora é comprometida em garantir a integridade editorial em todas as etapas do processo de publicação, evitando plágio, dados ou resultados fraudulentos e impedindo que interesses financeiros comprometam os padrões éticos da publicação. Situações suspeitas de má conduta científica serão investigadas sob o mais alto padrão de rigor acadêmico e ético. Conselho Editorial Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde
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Destaques ● Este mapa de evidências tem como objetivo apresentar os potenciais benefícios da atividade física para a saúde da população. ● Foram incluídas 131 revisões sistemáticas, sendo os estudos primários realizados principalmente nos Estados Unidos (46,5%). ● As intervenções foram classificadas em 4 categorias e 30 subcategorias. Observou-se maior frequência da categoria “exercícios físicos aeróbicos”, e da subcategoria “práticas integrativas e complementares de saúde”. ● Os desfechos foram classificados em clínicos, não clínicos e eventos adversos. Desfechos clínicos foram relatados em 100 revisões sistemáticas, com destaque para sintomas e transtornos depressivos, índice de massa corporal, e sintomas e transtornos de ansiedade. Desfechos não clínicos foram relatados em 70 revisões sistemáticas, com destaque para qualidade de vida. Eventos adversos foram relatados em 14 revisões sistemáticas. ● Três categorias de intervenções apresentaram efeito positivo acima de 50% para os desfechos avaliados: Exercícios aeróbicos; Exercícios físicos não especificados; Intervenções combinadas.
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Background: Despite the promising results of body-oriented interventions on self-regu- lation and health outcomes for adolescents and adults with high-functioning autism, em- pirical research on this topic is in its infancy. At the same time, there is a lack of a sys- tematic review of the body of research to provide evidence for future research and inter- vention development. Objective: To examine the effects of body-oriented interventions on the self-regulatory abilities of adolescents and young adults on the high-functioning autism spectrum. Methods: A scoping review was used to conduct a systematic literature search in inter- national databases. Studies included according to pre-determined inclusion criteria were analyzed under the following criteria: a) self-regulatory ability, b) body awareness, c) social and health effects, and d) evidence for the development of body-oriented interven- tions. Results: A total of 15 studies were included: seven intervention studies on dance (n=2), judo (n=1), qigong (n=1), animal-assisted therapy (n=1), body-focused meditation (n=1), and emotion regulation training (n=1), and eight observational studies. Body-oriented in- terventions are associated with positive effects on body awareness, self-regulation skills, and social and health development. Conclusions: Further studies with combined interventions of physical activity and body awareness/mindfulness (e.g. martial arts, Tai-Chi and archery) are necessary. Researchers should focus even more on the specific autistic characteristics and needs (e.g. more suit- able measurement instruments for body awareness and interoception).
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This article provides a review of the magnitude of mental disorders in children and adolescents from recent community surveys across the world. Although there is substantial variation in the results depending upon the methodological characteristics of the studies, the findings converge in demonstrating that approximately one fourth of youth experience a mental disorder during the past year, and about one third across their lifetimes. Anxiety disorders are the most frequent conditions in children, followed by behavior disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders. Fewer than half of youth with current mental disorders receive mental health specialty treatment. However, those with the most severe disorders tend to receive mental health services. Current issues that are now being identified in the field of child psychiatric epidemiology include: refinement of classification and assessment, inclusion of young children in epidemiologic surveys, integration of child and adult psychiatric epidemiology, and evaluation of both mental and physical disorders in children.
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Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a common disease and the incidence has been rising constantly. Acupuncture is one of the most widely used complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Despite studies had been done on the effectiveness of acupuncture on ASD children, how factors such as chronological age and the onset pattern influence the effectiveness of the therapy remains unclear. The aim of this retrospective study is to know how symptomatology of ASD alters upon the introduction of scalp acupuncture and how do age and onset type affect the effectiveness of the therapy. MethodsASD children aged 2–11 years old were invited to join the study. In the course of the investigation, they received a total of 30 sessions of scalp acupuncture therapy. They were then evaluated to compare the performance on various aspects before and after the treatment. The influence on the therapeutic effect by factors including chorological age and onset pattern were further taken into consideration and analyzed. In addition, investigation on the relationship between allergies and onset pattern of ASD was performed by statistically analyzing the received epidemiologic data from the participants. Results68 children with ASD participated in the study. It is found that the significant effective rate of scalp acupuncture on ASD is 97%. Scalp acupuncture can improve verbal communication problems the most while noise sensitivity improves the least. The therapeutic effectiveness decreases with increasing age and children with natal autism benefit more from acupuncture than those with regressive autism. In the latter part of the study, we observe a positive correlation between the family history of allergy and onset pattern. Conclusion Scalp acupuncture is an effective treatment for alleviating the symptomatology of ASD. The therapeutic effectiveness is expected to be higher for those patients with natal or early onset of the disorder, and at a younger age when they receive the therapy. The study result helps to formulate an ideal regimen for ASD patients and allow therapists and parents to make appropriate expectation towards the therapeutic outcome of acupuncture. Early intervention of scalp acupuncture therapy recommended. The relationship between the family history of allergic disorder and the onset type of ASD hints that the etiologies of natal and regressive ASD are discrete. It shows a great significance in differentiating the onset pattern in carrying out clinical assessments or researches on ASD patients.Trial registration This retrospective study was approved by the Committee on the Use of Human and Animal Subjects in Teaching and Research, Hong Kong Baptist University on 4th Aug 2017. The retrospectively registered number is HASC/Student/17-18/0115
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Objectives. We aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Methods.We searched 13 databases for studies published up to December 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture for children with ASD were included. Outcome measures were the overall scores on scales evaluating the core symptoms of ASD and the scores for each symptom, such as social communication ability and skills, stereotypies, language ability, and cognitive function. Effect sizes were presented as mean differences (MD).Results.Twenty-seven RCTs with 1736 participants were included. Acupuncture complementary to behavioral and educational intervention significantly decreased the overall scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (MD -8.10, 95% CI -12.80 to -3.40) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (MD -8.92, 95% CI -11.29 to -6.54); however, it was unclear which of the ASD symptoms improved. Acupuncture as a monotherapy also reduced the overall CARS score. The reported adverse events were acceptable.Conclusions.This review suggests that acupuncture may be effective and safe for pediatric ASD. However, it is not conclusive due to the heterogeneity of the acupuncture treatment methods used in the studies.
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Tai Chi and Qigong are meditative movement-based practices that necessitate sustained focus, precision in movement and strictness of action. Due to the requisite high levels of concentration, Tai Chi and Qigong have mainly been studied in adult populations, where systematic reviews have shown positive efficacy. As facilitators and barriers to Tai Chi and Qigong practice in youth are different relative to adults, efficacy of the practices may also differ. Therefore, this systematic review investigates and evaluates intervention studies of Tai Chi and/or Qigong in adolescent populations (18 years and under) to determine how these interventions have been applied as well as synthesize intervention outcomes. For the 13 studies (16 manuscripts) included in the work, frequency and duration of the Tai Chi or Qigong intervention ranged from a two sessions per week for 5 week to five sessions per week over a year. Synthesis of results showed there were two outcome domains: (1) psychological wellbeing and behavior, and (2) physical health and function. Results of the synthesized data suggest that Tai Chi or Qigong may positively improve physical health and function, while its effect on psychological wellbeing and behavior are inconclusive with most studies reporting improvements or no effect.
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Although a number of studies have observed that females respond better to serotonergic antidepressants than males and that postmenopausal females have a diminished response to antidepressants compared with younger females, there are also studies that conflict with both of these findings, making any generalizations regarding sex differences difficult to make. Sex variance in antidepressant efficacy and pharmacokinetics profiles have been attributed to sex-based physiological differences, behavioral differences, related disorders, and sex-specific conditions, including pregnancy and menopause. This paper will review the history and current research on sex effects of antidepressant treatment.
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Background: Randomized controlled trials have repeatedly demonstrated that treatment with a five-month qigong massage protocol significantly reduces the severity of autism. The treatment protocol is known as Qigong Sensory Training (QST) autism massage and is given daily by parents and weekly by therapists for five months. Treatment reduces the tactile abnormalities that are universal in young children with autism and results in improved social skills, language and behavior. At five months, tactile abnormalities are reduced by 1/2, autistic behavior is reduced by 1/3, autism severity is reduced by 16%, and 6% of children have moved off the spectrum. What has not yet been done is to measure outcomes with longer-term treatment. This observational study investigates outcomes with up to 24 months of treatment. Methods: 75 children entered this observational study upon completion of five months of treatment with the QST protocol. They received daily parent treatment and monthly therapist treatment for the balance of the first year, and daily parent treatment without therapist support for the second year. Sequential evaluations were conducted at baseline (n=75), five months (n=75), 12 months (n=67) and 24 months (n=31). Results: Continued treatment resulted in continued improvement. At 12 and 24 months, mean tactile responses normalized by 57% and 72%, with 24% and 32% falling into the normal range; mean autism severity decreased by 27% and 44%, with 12% and 26% of children moving out of autistic range. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that longer-term treatment resulted in resolution of tactile impairment and continued improvement of social skills, language and behavior. The rate of coming off the spectrum (1 in 4 children by year-2) was far higher than the natural history of ASD would predict. Results support earlier recommendations to treat tactile abnormalities at the time of autism diagnosis in order to improve autism outcomes.
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Problem/condition: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Period covered: 2012. Description of system: The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is an active surveillance system that provides estimates of the prevalence and characteristics of ASD among children aged 8 years whose parents or guardians reside in 11 ADDM Network sites in the United States (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin). Surveillance to determine ASD case status is conducted in two phases. The first phase consists of screening and abstracting comprehensive evaluations performed by professional service providers in the community. Data sources identified for record review are categorized as either 1) education source type, including developmental evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services or 2) health care source type, including diagnostic and developmental evaluations. The second phase involves the review of all abstracted evaluations by trained clinicians to determine ASD surveillance case status. A child meets the surveillance case definition for ASD if one or more comprehensive evaluations of that child completed by a qualified professional describes behaviors that are consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision diagnostic criteria for any of the following conditions: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (including atypical autism), or Asperger disorder. This report provides ASD prevalence estimates for children aged 8 years living in catchment areas of the ADDM Network sites in 2012, overall and stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, and the type of source records (education and health records versus health records only). In addition, this report describes the proportion of children with ASD with a score consistent with intellectual disability on a standardized intellectual ability test, the age at which the earliest known comprehensive evaluation was performed, the proportion of children with a previous ASD diagnosis, the specific type of ASD diagnosis, and any special education eligibility classification. Results: For 2012, the combined estimated prevalence of ASD among the 11 ADDM Network sites was 14.6 per 1,000 (one in 68) children aged 8 years. Estimated prevalence was significantly higher among boys aged 8 years (23.6 per 1,000) than among girls aged 8 years (5.3 per 1,000). Estimated ASD prevalence was significantly higher among non-Hispanic white children aged 8 years (15.5 per 1,000) compared with non-Hispanic black children (13.2 per 1,000), and Hispanic (10.1 per 1,000) children aged 8 years. Estimated prevalence varied widely among the 11 ADDM Network sites, ranging from 8.2 per 1,000 children aged 8 years (in the area of the Maryland site where only health care records were reviewed) to 24.6 per 1,000 children aged 8 years (in New Jersey, where both education and health care records were reviewed). Estimated prevalence was higher in surveillance sites where education records and health records were reviewed compared with sites where health records only were reviewed (17.1 per 1,000 and 10.7 per 1,000 children aged 8 years, respectively; p<0.05). Among children identified with ASD by the ADDM Network, 82% had a previous ASD diagnosis or educational classification; this did not vary by sex or between non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black children. A lower percentage of Hispanic children (78%) had a previous ASD diagnosis or classification compared with non-Hispanic white children (82%) and with non-Hispanic black children (84%). The median age at earliest known comprehensive evaluation was 40 months, and 43% of children had received an earliest known comprehensive evaluation by age 36 months. The percentage of children with an earliest known comprehensive evaluation by age 36 months was similar for boys and girls, but was higher for non-Hispanic white children (45%) compared with non-Hispanic black children (40%) and Hispanic children (39%). Interpretation: Overall estimated ASD prevalence was 14.6 per 1,000 children aged 8 years in the ADDM Network sites in 2012. The higher estimated prevalence among sites that reviewed both education and health records suggests the role of special education systems in providing comprehensive evaluations and services to children with developmental disabilities. Disparities by race/ethnicity in estimated ASD prevalence, particularly for Hispanic children, as well as disparities in the age of earliest comprehensive evaluation and presence of a previous ASD diagnosis or classification, suggest that access to treatment and services might be lacking or delayed for some children. Public health action: The ADDM Network will continue to monitor the prevalence and characteristics of ASD among children aged 8 years living in selected sites across the United States. Recommendations from the ADDM Network include enhancing strategies to 1) lower the age of first evaluation of ASD by community providers in accordance with the Healthy People 2020 goal that children with ASD are evaluated by age 36 months and begin receiving community-based support and services by age 48 months; 2) reduce disparities by race/ethnicity in identified ASD prevalence, the age of first comprehensive evaluation, and presence of a previous ASD diagnosis or classification; and 3) assess the effect on ASD prevalence of the revised ASD diagnostic criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.
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With the inclusion of sensory abnormalities in the DSM-V criteria for autism, the multifocal touch/pain abnormalities reported in young children with autism are no longer comorbid symptoms, and it has become an urgent priority to identify their nature and significance. A recent study differentiated children with autism from typical and otherwise developmentally delayed groups on the twofold basis of mixed allodynia and hypoesthesia, and severe global self-regulatory delay. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed case records for 266 preschool children with autism and typical development to verify recent findings, assess the prevalence and location of tactile abnormalities in the autism group, and explore the relationship between tactile abnormalities and self-regulatory delay. Results differentiated the autism group by severity of tactile abnormality [F(1,262) = 172.8, p < .001] and self-regulatory delay [F(1,262) = 232.8, p < .001]. Allodynia was reported in 100% of the autism group by parent report and 98% by therapist report; hypoesthesia was present in 65% by parent report. Tactile abnormalities were directly, linearly related to self-regulatory delay (r = .727, p < .001) in both groups. The sense of touch has not been fully evaluated in autism, and there is insufficient quantitative evidence to conclude that it is intact. Mixed allodynia and hypoesthesia are typical signs of sensory neuropathy. Evidence of their near universal presence in young children with autism, and direct relationship to self-regulatory delay underscores the urgent need to fully evaluate the sense of touch in autism and rule out sensory neuropathy.
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Problem/Condition: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Period Covered: 2010. Description of System: The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is an active surveillance system in the United States that provides estimates of the prevalence of ASD and other characteristics among children aged 8 years whose parents or guardians live in 11 ADDM sites in the United States. ADDM surveillance is conducted in two phases. The first phase consists of screening and abstracting comprehensive evaluations performed by professional providers in the community. Multiple data sources for these evaluations include general pediatric health clinics and specialized programs for children with developmental disabilities. In addition, most ADDM Network sites also review and abstract records of children receiving special education services in public schools. The second phase involves review of all abstracted evaluations by trained clinicians to determine ASD surveillance case status. A child meets the surveillance case definition for ASD if a comprehensive evaluation of that child completed by a qualified professional describes behaviors consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnostic criteria for any of the following conditions: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (including atypical autism), or Asperger disorder. This report provides updated prevalence estimates for ASD from the 2010 surveillance year. In addition to prevalence estimates, characteristics of the population of children with ASD are described. Results: For 2010, the overall prevalence of ASD among the ADDM sites was 14.7 per 1,000 (one in 68) children aged 8 years. Overall ASD prevalence estimates varied among sites from 5.7 to 21.9 per 1,000 children aged 8 years. ASD prevalence estimates also varied by sex and racial/ethnic group. Approximately one in 42 boys and one in 189 girls living in the ADDM Network communities were identified as having ASD. Non-Hispanic white children were approximately 30% more likely to be identified with ASD than non-Hispanic black children and were almost 50% more likely to be identified with ASD than Hispanic children. Among the seven sites with sufficient data on intellectual ability, 31% of children with ASD were classified as having IQ scores in the range of intellectual disability (IQ <= 70), 23% in the borderline range (IQ = 71-85), and 46% in the average or above average range of intellectual ability (IQ > 85). The proportion of children classified in the range of intellectual disability differed by race/ethnicity. Approximately 48% of non-Hispanic black children with ASD were classified in the range of intellectual disability compared with 38% of Hispanic children and 25% of non-Hispanic white children. The median age of earliest known ASD diagnosis was 53 months and did not differ significantly by sex or race/ethnicity. Interpretation: These findings from CDC's ADDM Network, which are based on 2010 data reported from 11 sites, provide updated population-based estimates of the prevalence of ASD in multiple communities in the United States. Because the ADDM Network sites do not provide a representative sample of the entire United States, the combined prevalence estimates presented in this report cannot be generalized to all children aged 8 years in the United States population. Consistent with previous reports from the ADDM Network, findings from the 2010 surveillance year were marked by significant variations in ASD prevalence by geographic area, sex, race/ethnicity, and level of intellectual ability. The extent to which this variation might be attributable to diagnostic practices, underrecognition of ASD symptoms in some racial/ethnic groups, socioeconomic disparities in access to services, and regional differences in clinical or school-based practices that might influence the findings in this report is unclear. Public Health Action: ADDM Network investigators will continue to monitor the prevalence of ASD in select communities, with a focus on exploring changes within these communities that might affect both the observed prevalence of ASD and population-based characteristics of children identified with ASD. Although ASD is sometimes diagnosed by 2 years of age, the median age of the first ASD diagnosis remains older than age 4 years in the ADDM Network communities. Recommendations from the ADDM Network include enhancing strategies to address the need for 1) standardized, widely adopted measures to document ASD severity and functional limitations associated with ASD diagnosis; 2) improved recognition and documentation of symptoms of ASD, particularly among both boys and girls, children without intellectual disability, and children in all racial/ethnic groups; and 3) decreasing the age when children receive their first evaluation for and a diagnosis of ASD and are enrolled in community-based support systems.
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The memory deficits found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be caused by the lack of an effective strategy to aid memory. The executive control of memory processing is mediated largely by the timely coupling between frontal and posterior brain regions. The present study aimed to explore the potential effect of a Chinese mind–body exercise, namely Nei Gong, for enhancing learning and memory in children with ASD, and the possible neural basis of the improvement. Sixty-six children with ASD were randomly assigned to groups receiving Nei Gong training (NGT), progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training, or no training for 1 month. Before and after training, the participants were tested individually on a computerized visual memory task while EEG signals were acquired during the memory encoding phase. Children in the NGT group demonstrated significantly enhanced memory performance and more effective use of a memory strategy, which was not observed in the other two groups. Furthermore, the improved memory after NGT was consistent with findings of elevated EEG theta coherence between frontal and posterior brain regions, a measure of functional coupling. The scalp EEG signals were localized by the standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography method and found to originate from a neural network that promotes effective memory processing, including the prefrontal cortex, the parietal cortex, and the medial and inferior temporal cortex. This alteration in neural processing was not found in children receiving PMR or in those who received no training. The present findings suggest that the mind–body exercise program may have the potential effect on modulating neural functional connectivity underlying memory processing and hence enhance memory functions in individuals with autism.
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Evaluation for sensory impairment is a routine part of autism diagnosis. Sensory impairment of hearing, vision, or touch results in developmental delay and must be addressed before delay can resolve. Recent studies confirm that tactile impairment is present in autism and can be effectively treated with a tactile stimulation protocol. The research suggests a change in management at the time of autism diagnosis to include evaluation and treatment of tactile impairment. Here we validate screening and management tool for tactile impairment, the Autism Touch and Self-Regulation Checklist, in 404 typical and autistic preschool children. The tool assesses tactile impairment by location and severity. Autistic children were distinguished by mixed pain and numbness on multiple areas including the face and mouth ( F = 412.1 (1,402); p < . 000 ). Oral-facial tactile impairment interferes with the tactile stimulus to orienting. We hypothesized that oral-facial tactile impairment and difficulty orienting are predictive of ASD and that severity of tactile impairment is predictive of severity of ASD. Questions evaluating oral-facial and orienting responses correctly predicted 91% of the autism group. Severity of tactile impairment correctly predicted 81% of mild versus severe ASD. Results underscore the importance of evaluating and treating tactile impairment at the time of autism diagnosis.
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A contemporary understanding of Chinese Medicine (CM) regards CM diagnosis as a functional vegetative state that may be treated by vegetative reflex therapies such as acupuncture. Within this context, traditional mind-body exercises such as Qigong can be understood as an attempt to enhance physiological proprioception, by combining a special state of “awareness” with posture, movement, and breath control. We have formerly trained young auditing flutists in “White Ball” Qigong to minimize anxiety-induced cold hands and lower anxiety-induced heart rate. Functional changes occurred 2-5 min after training and were observed over the whole training program, allowing the children to control their symptoms. In our current work, we report that warm fingers and calm hearts could be induced by the children even without Qigong exercises. Thus, these positive changes once induced and “conditioned” vegetatively were stable after weeks of training. This may show the mechanism by which Qigong acts as a therapeutic measure in disease: positive vegetative pathways may be activated instead of dysfunctional functional patterns. The positive vegetative patterns then may be available in critical stressful situations. Qigong exercise programs may therefore be understood as an ancient vegetative biofeedback exercise inducing positive vegetative functions which are added to the individual reactive repertoire.
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Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) represents a popular therapeutic option for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of CAM in ASD. The aim of the present systematic review is to investigate trials of CAM in ASD. Material and Methods. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Agricola, and Food Science Source. Results. Our literature search identified 2687 clinical publications. After the title/abstract screening, 139 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation 67 studies were included, from hand search of references we retrieved 13 additional studies for a total of 80. Conclusion. There is no conclusive evidence supporting the efficacy of CAM therapies in ASD. Promising results are reported for music therapy, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, and massage.
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Autism spectrum disorder is an entity that reflects a scientific consensus that several previously separated disorders are actually a single spectrum disorder with different levels of symptom severity in two core domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted repetitive behaviors. Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups and because of its increased prevalence, reported worldwide through the last years, made it one of the most discussed child psychiatric disorders. In term of aetiology as several other complex diseases, Autism spectrum disorder is considered to have a strong genetic component.
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Tactile abnormalities are severe and universal in preschool children with autism. They respond well to treatment with a daily massage protocol directed at tactile abnormalities (QST massage for autism). Treatment is based on a model for autism proposing that tactile impairment poses a barrier to development. Two previous randomized controlled trials evaluating five months of massage treatment reported improvement of behavior, social/communication skills, and tactile and other sensory symptoms. This is the first report from a two-year replication study evaluating the protocol in 103 preschool children with autism. Parents gave daily treatment; trained staff gave weekly treatment and parent support. Five-month outcomes replicated earlier studies and showed normalization of receptive language (18%, P = .03), autistic behavior (32%, P = .006), total sensory abnormalities (38%, P = .0000005), tactile abnormalities (49%, P = .0002), and decreased autism severity (medium to large effect size, P = .008). In addition, parents reported improved child-to-parent interactions, bonding, and decreased parenting stress (44%, P = .00008). Early childhood special education programs are tasked with addressing sensory abnormalities and engaging parents in effective home programs. Until now, they have lacked research-based methods to do so. This program fulfills the need. It is recommended to parents and ECSE programs (ages 3-5) at autism diagnosis.
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Objective: The therapeutic approach of traditional chinese Medicine (TCM) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a functional one. To study the efficacy, safety and functional brain change from the use of tongue acupuncture (TAC) on ASD children. Methods: 21 autistic boys (3–16 years old) were randomly assigned to TAC group (TAC: n = 12; receiving daily TAC for 8 weeks) or control (C: n = 9; no acupuncture). Primary outcome measures included Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Reynell Language Developmental Scale, Symbolic Play Test (SPT), Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale and Cerebral FDG Metabolism by PET. Results: There were significant improvement in speech domain of ATEC (p = 0.030), Self-care domain of WeeFIM (p = 0.021), cognition domain of WeeFIM (p = 0.001) and Total score domain of WeeFIM (p = 0.001) in TAC group compared to the C group. There were significant difference in positive clinical response between C and TAC group in language (p = 0.0211), functional (p = 0.0011), parental Impression criteria (p = 0.0003) and overall cerebral glucose metabolism (p = 0.0451) using ROC criteria. No significant association of PET Glucose Metabolism with Clinical response was found. None of the children developed any side-effects. Conclusion: A short course of TAC can improve specific functions in children with autism spectrum disorder, especially speech and cognition function. No statistical significant association of PET Glucose Metabolism with Clinical response. Larger scale with more sample size trial should be done for further investigation.
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A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate adverse effects associated with risperidone in 45 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), aged 2-15 years, who were treated at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand, between the years 2006 and 2007. Adverse effects were assessed by parent interview, using a semistructure questionnaire, and medical records review. The mean ± SD age of the children at starting risperidone was 8.15 ± 2.98 years. The mean ± SD of risperidone dose was 0.94 ± 0.74 mg/day and the mean ± SD duration of treatment was 36.8 ± 27.8 months. Adverse effects were reported in 39 children (86.7%). Common adverse effects included increased appetite, somnolence, and rhinorrhea and most of the adverse effects were tolerable. Tardive dyskinesia or other serious adverse events were not found in this study. The child's mean ± SD weight gain was 4.18 ± 2.82 kg/year, which exceeded developmentally expected norms. The results from this study suggest that risperidone treatment in children with ASD is associated with frequent mild and tolerable adverse effects. However, excessive weight gain could be found to be a concerning adverse effect and weight monitoring is warranted when risperidone is being prescribed.
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Our animal and human studies have provided empirical evidence that a patented intranasal herbal medicine alters brain functions and neurophysiology. In particular, it reduces clinical symptoms and immunological anomalies in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The present study explored whether the herbal formula can improve executive functions and the associated neuroelectrophysiological activity in ASD. Thirty children with ASD were evenly assigned to receive a daily intranasal administration of the herbal formula or no treatment. Their executive functions, behavioral problems, and electroencephalographic activity during an executive control task were measured before and after six months of treatment with the herbal formula. After treatment, the experimental group showed significantly improved inhibitory control, mental flexibility, and planning, which coincided with an event-related elevation in the activity of their prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices (regions that are critical for executive control of behaviors) as well as reduced daily dysexecutive behaviors. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in executive functions or neural system activity. These findings support the administration of the intranasal herbal medicine as a possible intervention for improving executive functions in ASD.
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Systematic literature review about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) proposals directed towards persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders aiming to contribute to a truly evidence-based practice. References from the last five years were obtained from the Web of Science, Medline, SciELO and Lilacs databases. Papers published in peer-reviewed journals were selected. Exclusion criteria were language, type of paper, theme and repeated papers. This selection resulted in 52 articles that were completely analyzed. Information regarding author, journal and date; title; theme and approach; casuistic; inclusion and exclusion criteria and conclusion was considered. The papers refer to intervention processes, literature reviews, professional education, and parents' contributions to the intervention programs. Only four papers report the parents' role in the use of ABA principles at home. Studies about Professional education emphasize the specialized education. Most of the literature review papers conclude that the intervention programs are controversial, expensive and dependent of external variables. Although the articles describing intervention processes include 663 participants, a meta-analysis is not possible due to the lack of comparable inclusion and characterization criteria. There is not enough evidence of ABA's preponderance over other alternatives.
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Executive dysfunctions have been found to be related to repetitive/disinhibited behaviors and social deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This study aims to investigate the potential effect of a Shaolin-medicine-based dietary modification on improving executive functions and behavioral symptoms of ASD and exploring the possible underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Twenty-four children with ASD were randomly assigned into the experimental (receiving dietary modification for one month) and the control (no modification) groups. Each child was assessed on his/her executive functions, behavioral problems based on parental ratings, and event-related electroencephalography (EEG) activity during a response-monitoring task before and after the one month. The experimental group demonstrated significantly improved mental flexibility and inhibitory control after the diet modification, which continued to have a large effect size within the low-functioning subgroup. Such improvements coincided with positive evaluations by their parents on social communication abilities and flexible inhibitory control of daily behaviors and significantly enhanced event-related EEG activity at the rostral and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. In contrast, the control group did not show any significant improvements. These positive outcomes of a one-month dietary modification on children with ASD have implicated its potential clinical applicability for patients with executive function deficits.
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Sensory and self-regulatory symptoms make up most of the comorbid symptoms in autism and are associated with increased autism severity. We validated a parent-caregiver measure of comorbid symptoms in autism, the Sense and Self-Regulation Checklist (SSC), in 265 children <6 yr with typical development (n = 138), autism (n = 99), or other developmental delay (n = 28); Cronbach's α was .87. We report two new findings discriminating autism from other groups: (1) multifocal tactile sensory impairment, characterized by hyporeactivity to injurious stimuli and hyperreactivity to noninjurious stimuli (F[2, 262] = 86.8, p < .001) and (2) global self-regulatory delay (F[2, 262] = 122, p < .001). Both findings suggest an explanation for social delay in children with autism. The SSC reports a prevalence of sensory and self-regulatory findings approaching 100% in the autism group (96% and 98%, respectively), raising the possibility that sensory and self-regulatory difficulties represent a core part of autism.
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A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a dual parent and trainer-delivered qigong massage intervention for young children with autism resulted in improvement of measures of autism as well as improvement of abnormal sensory responses and self-regulation. The RCT evaluated the effects of the parent-delivered component of the intervention. Forty-seven children were randomly assigned to treatment and wait-list control groups. Treatment group children received the parent-delivered program for 4 mo. Trained therapists provided parent training and support. Improvement was evaluated in two settings--preschool and home--by teachers (blind to group) and parents. Results showed that the parent-delivered program was effective in improving measures of autism (medium effect size) and sensory and self-regulatory responses (large effect size). Teacher data on measures of autism were confirmed by parent data. Results indicate that the parent-delivered component of the program provided effective early intervention for autism that was suitable for delivery at home.
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Autism is commonly associated with sensory and self-regulatory disturbances. This article presents a randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of a 5-month intervention directed toward improving sensory impairment, digestion, and sleep in 46 children with autism < age 6. The intervention, Qigong Sensory Training (QST), is a qigong massage intervention based in Chinese medicine. It is two-pronged: Trainers work with children directly 20 times over 5 months, and parents give the massage daily to their children. Improvement was evaluated in two settings--preschool and home--by teachers (blind to group) and parents. Teacher evaluations showed that treated children had significant classroom improvement of social and language skills and reduction in autistic behavior compared with wait-list control participants. These findings were confirmed by parent data, indicating that the gains had generalized across contexts. A model and supporting data for understanding and treating sensory and self-regulation problems in autism is presented.
Chapter
Ten years ago, we presented a review of the growing body of research developing on the diagnosis, understanding, and treatment of autism (Rutter, 1978; Schopler, 1978). The definition of autism developed by the National Society for Autistic Children was published along with that review. Although informed by scientific research, the NSAC definition was developed to shape favorable social policy rather than scientific synthesis, and so some anticipated differences between the two definitions arose. Since that time research has continued to accelerate. While these past 7 years have brought new information, they have also generated some new confusion and disputes. This review presents our synthesis of the accumulated research and provides our best assessment of the evidence for resolving some of these disputes.1
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Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly co-occur. With the DSM-5, clinicians are permitted to make an ASD diagnosis in the context of ADHD. In earlier versions of the DSM, this was not acceptable. Both ASD and ADHD are reported to have had substantial increases in prevalence within the past 10 years. As a function of both the increased prevalence of both disorders as well as the ability to make an ASD diagnosis in ADHD, there has been a significant amount of research focusing on the comorbidity between ADHD and ASD in the past few years. Here, we provide an update on the biological, cognitive and behavioral overlap/distinctiveness between the two neurodevelopmental disorders with a focus on data published in the last four years. Treatment strategies for the comorbid condition as well as future areas of research and clinical need are discussed.
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Anxiety is one of the most common clinical problems among children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet we know little about its etiology in the context of ASD. We posit that emotion regulation (ER) impairments are a risk factor for anxiety in ASD. Specifically, we propose that one reason why anxiety disorders are so frequently comorbid with ASD is because ER impairments are ubiquitous to ASD, stemming from socio-cognitive, physiological, and neurological processes related to impaired cognitive control, regulatory processes, and arousal. In this review, we offer a developmental model of how ER impairments may arise in ASD, and when (moderating influences) and how (meditational mechanisms) they result in anxiety.
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This article reviews recent evidence and other earlier relevant articles regarding early intervention studies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is a well-established body of empirical evidence for the effectiveness of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) with young children with ASD. The importance of parent skills training, education and positive behaviour support is also a key factor in influencing outcomes. Drug treatment is of short-term benefit for disruptive behaviour but long-term outcome and metabolic side-effects have not been studied. Few studies have measured the long-term value and effectiveness of early intervention treatments, and currently there are no articles published on effects into adulthood of such treatments. Such research would indicate whether early intervention results in reduced reliance on health services into adulthood.
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This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding amantadine to risperidone for treatment of autism. Forty outpatients aged 4 to12 years, who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria, were assigned to this double-blind clinical trial. The subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups. One group received risperidone plus amantadine, and the other group received risperidone plus placebo. The dose of risperidone was titrated between 1 and 2.0 mg/d, and the dose of amantadine was 100 or 150 mg/d for patients less than 30 kg or more than 30 kg, respectively. The patients were assessed using the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist-Community (ABC-C) and adverse effects checklist as well as clinical global impression-improvement (CGI-I) at 2 checkpoints of 5-week intervals after the baseline. Informed consent was obtained from the parents of each participant. Among ABC-C subscales, Hyperactivity and Irritability showed significantly greater reduction in the amantadine group than the placebo group. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the 2 groups. The CGI-I scores show significant improvement in the amantadine group compared to the placebo group. The present study suggests that amantadine may be a potential adjunctive treatment strategy for autism and it was generally well tolerated.
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Subjects with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often exhibit behavioral symptoms such as aggressiveness and irritability. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and the tolerability of aripiprazole switched from risperidone in children and adolescents with ASD. This prospective, 12-week, open-label study included 9 male subjects with ASD (age range, 9-22 years; mean ± SD age, 14.8 ± 4.0 years) followed up for 12 weeks after switching to aripiprazole from risperidone. The primary outcome measures were the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scales and the irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. The mean ± SD maintenance dosages of risperidone and aripiprazole were 0.6 ± 0.4 mg/d and 4.8 ± 4.0 mg/d, respectively. The mean ± SD scores of the irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist before switching to aripiprazole (baseline) and 12 weeks after switching to aripiprazole (end point) were 14.8 ± 7.6 and 13.1 ± 8.0, respectively. The mean ± SD Clinical Global Impression-Improvement score, a comparison from baseline to end point, was 2.4 ± 0.7. Mild somnolence was observed only in 1 subject. No significant changes in vital signs, weight, electrocardiogram, or laboratory measures occurred during switching to aripiprazole. Serum prolactin levels decreased significantly from 17.3 ± 9.4 ng/mL (baseline) to 2.3 ± 1.7 ng/mL (end point). The results show that aripiprazole might be generally well tolerated and might constitute an alternative treatment of subjects with ASD who experience poor efficacy or tolerability issues with risperidone treatment. Additional long-term controlled studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of switching to aripiprazole from other antipsychotics in subjects with ASD.
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The Autism Spectrum Disorders Outcome Study is tracking the educational progress of 67 students, between the ages of 2 and 6 years, whose primary diagnosis for services is an autism spectrum disorder. This article describes the study, how student outcomes have been measured, and how student progress has been reported to service providers and parents. Outcome data has been collected from performance observations, parent and teacher surveys, and standardized assessments. The strength of this data-collection approach is that it uses a variety of sources and multiple methods to monitor student progress. Initial results, based on the first 16 months of the study, have shown that the majority of the children have made significant progress in the areas of social interaction, expressive speech, and use of language concepts. In addition, they have displayed significant decreases in behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders. This study began in 1998 and will continue at least through August of 2003.
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Students with emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD) often engage in challenging behaviors, including physical aggression. One intervention included in multicomponent programs for students with E/BD is relaxation. Despite its widespread inclusion, no studies were located that examined relaxation as a single-component treatment for physical aggression among students in this population. This study evaluated the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) as a proactive single-component aggression-reduction intervention for elementary students classified as having emotional disabilities in a day school/treatment program. Results of the study supported PMR as a proactive short-term aggression-reduction intervention. Although aggression levels began to increase following posttest, follow-up levels remained below those at pretest.
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Five autistic adolescents were trained in the use of progressive muscle relaxation to determine the effects of the relaxation training on task-oriented, disruptive, and stereotypic behavior, in a structured academic session. Each academic session was 12 minutes in length. Prior to each session, the children engaged in one of two activities with the relaxation trainer for 10 minutes, i.e., the practice at relaxation or a Simon-says game. Measures of disruption, on-task, and academic rate were gathered in the 12-minute academic session. In addition, a relaxation checklist was used to determine the extent to which the child was relaxed in the relaxation sessions. The results gave little evidence of differential effects as a consequence of the relaxation procedures on any of the dependent measures. The addition of relaxation cues during academic sessions failed to produce any change in the children's behaviors.
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The effectiveness of behavioural intervention programs for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders was addressed by a meta-analysis, which reviewed 14 studies. The findings suggest that the behavioural programs are effective in improving several developmental aspects in the children, in terms of their treatment gains, and also relative to eclectic-control programs in the same studies. Factors that were found to be correlated with the effectiveness of the behavioural programs were the intensity and the duration of the programs, the parental training, as well as the age and the adaptive behaviour abilities of the children at intake. The review showed that the high intensity of the programs is correlated with better gains in some developmental domains. Moreover, the high adaptive behaviour abilities and the young age of the children are also related with better progress the children have in some specific domains.
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Abstract The predictability, consistency in group means, and intra-individual stability of developmental quotients and performance IQs were assessed from preschool to school age for 71 autistic children and 71 non-autistic: communcation-handicapped children, matched on chronological age, sex and initial performance IQ/DQ, DQs/performance IQs at age 4 yrs were found to be highly correlated with performance IQ at age 10 yrs for both groups. Absolute difference scores and group means were also equivalent for both samples, with no difference in patterns of change or the relationship between performance IQ and language status, as measured on the PPVT. Differences between diagnostic groups occurred only for scores on the Vineland Social Maturity Scale and the relationship between these scores and IQ.
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Selected tests from the Halstead Reitan neuropsychological battery were administered to 10 male individuals who had been diagnosed as autistic in early childhood. Results from the battery obtained from the autistic group were compared with a group of retarded persons matched for IQ and with a group of patients with demonstrable diffuse brain damage. As a group, the autistic subjects showed a pattern of deficits indicative of a significantly greater degree of left hemisphere dysfunction than either comparison group. Furthermore, within-subject comparisons revealed that the autistic group had a significantly greater left than right hemisphere dysfunction, while neither comparison group showed this lateralized pattern.