Recent treatment of pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with traditional Chinese medicine
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children that affects behavior, attention, emotions, and social functioning, with a steadily increasing prevalence. Recently, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been integrated into ADHD treatment approaches. This review aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tuina massage, and integrative TCM approaches. Clinical trials published in the past 15 years were retrieved from CNKI, PubMed, and ThaiJO. Twenty eligible studies were analyzed for treatment outcomes and underlying TCM mechanisms. The findings indicate that acupuncture improves cerebral blood flow, rebalances Qi, and significantly alleviates ADHD symptoms. Chinese herbal medicine regulates neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin, contributing to better emotional and behavioral control. Tuina massage enhances blood circulation, supports the nervous system, and reduces ADHD symptoms. Notably, no major adverse effects were reported. Overall, TCM demonstrates promising clinical effectiveness in managing ADHD. However, further well-designed studies are required to establish standardized protocols, ensure consistent efficacy, and confirm long-term safety for broader acceptance in clinical practice.
Article Details
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and statistics about ADHD 2022 [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 10]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
Polanczyk G, de Lima MS, Horta BL, Biederman J, Rohde LA. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: a systematic review and metaregression analysis. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164(6):942-8.
Thomas R, Sanders S, Doust J, Beller E, Glasziou P. Prevalence of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2015;135(4):e994-1001.
Danielson ML, Bitsko RH, Ghandour RM, Holbrook JR, Kogan MD, Blumberg SJ. Prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis and associated treatment among U.S. children and adolescents. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2018;47(2):199-212.
Boon-yasidhi V. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management. Journal of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand. 2012;57(4):373-86. (in Thai)
Liu RJ, Cai XW, Yan GX, Hu YL, Huang Y. An Overview of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2021;41(2):305-9. (in Chinese)
Lei S, Han XM. Literature research on ADHD treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2014;31(3):43-6. (in Chinese)
Liu FN, Zheng Y, Li YR, Han XM. Clinical approaches to the treatment of pediatric ADHD. 3rd ed. Beijing: Science Press; 2019. (in Chinese)
An JS, Jing JX, Sun X, Zhang YH, Sun YH, Gao SF. Research progress of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treated by Chinese and Western medicine. Journal of Hebei Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology. 2020;35(3):58-61. (in Chinese)
Wang SC, Ding Y. Pediatrics in Chinese medicine. 1st ed. Beijing: Chinese Press of Chinese Medicine; 2021. (in Chinese)
Xu XB, Liu HJ, Peng JH. Comparative observation on acupuncture and Western medicine for treatment of minimal brain dysfunction. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. 2007;27(12):904-6. (in Chinese)
hang HJ, Dong XL, Zhang YF, Fang YF, Zhang HY. Effect of combination of acupuncture and psychological intervention on attention, response inhibition and cerebral blood flow in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. 2021;41(4):400-4. (in Chinese)
Ji XD, He JY, Zhao WS, Kou ZJ, Zhou X. Acupuncture treatment of 30 cases of childhood ADHD. Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2018;10(27):125-7 (in Chinese)
Huang LY. Clinical study of meridian regulation and Du channel acupuncture in the treatment of pediatric ADHD [dissertation]. Guangzhou: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine;2015. (in Chinese)
Wu XZ, Wu YC. Clinical study on acupuncture treatment of ADHD with deficiency of heart and spleen. Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2016;31(4):541-2. (in Chinese)
Zhou X. Observation on the therapeutic effect of body acupuncture in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Chinese and Foreign Medical Research. 2013;11(25):33-4. (in Chinese)
Liu JD. Clinical research on ADHD treatment with Jin's three-needle therapy [dissertation]. Guangzhou: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine; 2009. (in Chinese)
Cheng YZ, Cui LJ, Cai YH. Effectiveness observation of acupuncture at acupoints and auricular point pressing therapy in 32 cases of pediatric ADHD. Medical Information. 2009;22(10):909-10. (in Chinese)
Li Z. Acupuncture combined with auricular application in the treatment of infantile attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for 18 cases. Chinese Medicine Modern Distance Education of China. 2016;14(2):112-3. (in Chinese)
Tian H, Li YR, Liu ZH. Effect of nourishing kidney and accommodating liver herbs on the central nerve transmitters of SHR. Global Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2011;4(2):117-9. (in Chinese)
Zhou J. Observation on the effect of modified Huanglian Wendan decoction in treating children with ADHD of phlegm-fire internal disturbance type. Contemporary Medical Symposium. 2017;18(15):180-1. (in Chinese)
Wu AL, Zhang Y, Ying KW. Clinical study on Gouteng Tianma mixture for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of New Chinese Medicine. 2019;51(6):227-30. (in Chinese)
Huang B, Huang H. Clinical study of antihyperactivity capsule in treating pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder syndrome. Journal of Pediatrics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2013;9(3):16-7. (in Chinese)
He SW. The clinical study on treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder due to Yin Deficiency of liver and kidney by acupuncture, ear-acupoint application and Chinese herbs [dissertation]. Guangzhou: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine; 2013. (in Chinese)
Liu XR, Cui N, Zhu GYL, Song ZX. Clinical efficacy of Ningshen Xingnao acupuncture combined with Qingxin Pinggan formula in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Modern Medicine and Health Research. 2025;9(6):26-8. (in Chinese)
Yang L. Clinical efficacy of Zhengan Xifeng decoction combined with acupuncture in treating children with ADHD. Contemporary Medicine. 2019;25(21):143-4. (in Chinese)
Ye FQ. Observation on the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of 42 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Chinese Community Doctors. 2015;31(7):110-2. (in Chinese)
Wang LJ. Clinical observation on the therapeutic effect of pediatric massage in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Chinese Journal of Modern Drug Application. 2020;14(11):202-4. (in Chinese)
Yang XS, Yu J, Liu MQ, Sun Y, Wu J, Pang YZ, et al. Clinical therapeutic effect observation of pediatric massage in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2024;43(8):873-6. (in Chinese)
Zhang F, Gu MD, Zhu SG, Yao M, Zhu MH, Li Y, et al. A clinical observation of Jingyi formula for 99 cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2013;54(8):673-6. (in Chinese)
