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Randomised control trial of tongue acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in improving functional outcome in cerebral palsy
  1. J G Sun1,
  2. C H Ko2,
  3. V Wong3,
  4. X R Sun4
  1. 1The Jockey Club MRI Engineering Center, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Caritas Medical Center, Hong Kong, China
  3. 3Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
  4. 4Liaoning Tongue Acupuncture Research Institute, Liaoning, China
  1. Correspondence to:
 Professor V Wong
 Division of Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; vcnwonghkucc.hku.hk

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used historically in the treatment of cerebral palsy (CP). We investigated the efficacy of acupuncture in improving the motor function of children with CP.

Methods: A randomised control trial was conducted to assess the effect of tongue acupuncture (TAC) in 33 CP children. The subjects were randomised to treatment (n = 22) with TAC or control (n = 11). Clinical outcome was evaluated using the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory (PEDI).

Results: The increase in mean GMFM score was significantly greater in the treatment than in the control group (p = 0.042).

Conclusion: An improvement in motor function of CP subjects is seen following a short course of acupuncture.

  • CP, cerebral palsy
  • GMFM, Gross Motor Function Measure
  • MR, mental retardation
  • PEDI, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
  • TAC, tongue acupuncture
  • TCM, traditional Chinese medicine
  • acupuncture
  • cerebral palsy
  • children
  • Gross Motor Function Measure
  • Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
  • tongue acupuncture
  • traditional Chinese medicine

https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2003.021485

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: none declared