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The Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Spasticity in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Dian E Putri1, Adiningsih Srilestari1, Kemas Abdurrohim1
1Department of Medical Acupuncture, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jalan Diponegoro no. 71, Central Jakarta, Indonesia.
Insights
Laser acupuncture significantly reduced spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. This non-invasive treatment offers a promising approach for managing spasticity in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Acupuncture Research
Background:
- Spasticity is a prevalent disability in children with cerebral palsy, particularly in developing nations.
- Cerebral palsy affects motor function, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in alleviating spasticity in children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy.
- To investigate laser acupuncture as a potential therapeutic intervention for pediatric spasticity.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial involving 60 children (ages 2-10) with spastic cerebral palsy was conducted.
- Participants were divided into a treatment group (laser acupuncture) and a control group (placebo laser acupuncture).
- Laser acupuncture was applied to specific acupoints (GV20, GV14, LI4, GB34, LR3) over 12 sessions, with spasticity assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale.
Main Results:
- The treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in Modified Ashworth Scale scores compared to the control group (p=0.003).
- Laser acupuncture resulted in a notable reduction of spasticity.
Conclusions:
- Laser acupuncture applied to key acupoints (GV20, GV14, LI4, GB34, LR3) is an effective method for reducing spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
- This study supports laser acupuncture as a viable treatment option for pediatric spastic cerebral palsy.
Background:
Spasticity in cerebral palsy is one of the most common disabilities of children in developing countries.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of laser acupuncture on spasticity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Methods:
This clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with spastic cerebral palsy at 2 to 10 years. The patients were categorized into two groups: the control group and treatment group. Laser acupuncture was applied on GV20, GV14, LI4, GB34, and LR3 (power 50 mW, 785 nm, 1 Joule, 40 seconds) three times a week for 12 sessions in the treatment group and placebo laser acupuncture on the same points in the control group. The spasticity was measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale before and after complete sessions.
Results:
The results showed that there was a significant reduction in the Modified Ashworth Scale score in the treatment group compared with the control group (p = 0.003).
Conclusions:
This study suggest that laser acupuncture on GV20, GV14, LI4, GB34, and LR3 can reduce spasticity for children with spastic cerebral palsy.
