Autism and treatment according to traditional Chinese medicine using acupuncture
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness and review relevant research on the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through acupuncture. It was conducted as a review of literature by searching research databases such as CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Google Scholar, and PubMed. Studies from both domestic and international sources, published between 2014 and 2024, were collected. The aim was to apply the knowledge gained to the care and treatment of individuals with ASD or to integrate acupuncture with other treatment approaches to enhance therapeutic efficiency and outcomes in the rehabilitation and care of individuals with ASD. The findings revealed that acupuncture had stimulated improvements in language development, communication, behavior, and emotional regulation. It also contributed to an increase in cognitive abilities, leading to statistically significant improvements in the quality of life of individuals with ASD. Furthermore, acupuncture had been effectively integrated with various other treatment approaches, including modern pharmacological treatments, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Tuina massage, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavior therapy, and physical exercise, to enhance overall treatment efficiency.
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