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[Efficacy of acupuncture for spastic cerebral palsy in infancy stage]
Xin Zhang1, Yue-Ping Che1, Hai-Feng Li1
1Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, China.
Insights
Acupuncture combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy significantly improved cognitive and motor functions in infants with spastic cerebral palsy. This approach also effectively reduced spasticity, offering a promising therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is a common motor disability in children.
- Infancy is a critical period for intervention to improve long-term outcomes.
- Conventional rehabilitation therapies have limitations in addressing all aspects of CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture in conjunction with comprehensive rehabilitation for infantile spastic cerebral palsy.
- To assess improvements in cognitive function, motor skills, and muscle spasticity.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 62 infants with spastic CP, divided into an observation (acupuncture + rehabilitation) and a control (rehabilitation only) group.
- Both groups received sport therapy, electronic biofeedback, speech cognitive training, and massage.
- The observation group additionally received acupuncture at specific acupoints (e.g., Baihui GV 20, Zusanli ST 36) for 45 days, repeated over 3 courses.
Main Results:
- The acupuncture group showed significant improvements in Gesell Development Scale adaptive DQ scores (cognitive function) compared to the control group (P<0.05).
- Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM88) scores significantly increased in the acupuncture group compared to the control group (P<0.05).
- Acupuncture significantly reduced adductor muscle tension (P<0.05) and gastrocnemius muscle tension (P<0.05) compared to the control group, though gastrocnemius tension showed no significant inter-group difference in variation.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture, when combined with comprehensive rehabilitation, offers significant benefits for infants with spastic cerebral palsy.
- This integrated approach enhances cognitive development, improves gross motor function, and reduces muscle spasticity.
- Acupuncture represents a valuable adjunct therapy for managing infantile spastic cerebral palsy.
Objective:
To explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for spastic cerebral palsy in infancy stage.
Methods:
A total of 62 children with spastic cerebral palsy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 31 cases in each one. Both groups were given comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (sport therapy, electronic biofeedback therapy, speech cognitive training, massage therapy). On the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, the acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), motor area, Jiaji (EX-B 2), Weizhong (BL 40), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zusanli (ST 36) and Hegu (LI 4), etc, the needles were retained for 15-20 min each time, once a day, 5 days a week, 45 days as a course with 10 days interval, a total of 3 courses were required. The Gesell development scale adaptive DQ scores, gross motor function measure (GMFM88) and muscular tension of adductor and gastrocnemius muscle were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.
Results:
The Gesell development scale adaptive DQ score after treatment in the observation group was increased (P<0.05), there was no significant difference before and after treatment in the control group (P>0.05), the change of the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the GMFM88 scores in the two groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), the change of the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the muscular tension of the adductor in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05), the change of the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the muscle tension of the gastrocnemius muscle in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the two groups in the variation range (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Acupuncture combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy can improve cognitive function, spasticity and motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy.
