Acupuncture treatment on the motor area of the scalp for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundScalp acupuncture has been widely used as treatment for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy in China. Previous studies have failed to provide high-quality evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment in children with cerebral palsy. No high-quality randomized controlled trials on scalp acupuncture have been published. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Jiao’s scalp acupuncture when combined with routine rehabilitation treatment versus routine rehabilitation treatment alone for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy.Methods/DesignThis is a four-centre randomized controlled trial. One hundred cerebral palsy patients with motor dysfunction were enrolled. Patients will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio into either an acupuncture treatment group or a control group. Cerebral palsy patients in the control group will receive conventional rehabilitation treatment, whereas patients in the acupuncture group will receive a combination of scalp acupuncture and conventional rehabilitation treatment. Thirty-six treatment sessions will be performed over a 12-week period. The Gross Motor Function Measure and the Fine Motor Function Measure Scale will be assessed as the primary outcome measures. The Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children will be selected as secondary outcome measures. All assessments will be conducted at baseline, week 4 (treatment 12), week 8 (treatment 24), week 12 (treatment 36) and week 24 (follow-up).DiscussionThis is the first trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of scalp acupuncture as a treatment for motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy. The results of this trial are expected to provide relevant evidence demonstrating that scalp acupuncture can be used as an effective rehabilitation treatment method for improving motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03921281. Registered on 19 April 2019.

Effectiveness and safety of pure acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy

“…[ 8 ] Clinical studies claim that acupuncture can effectively treat children with cerebral palsy [ 9 ] and restore brain function. [ 10 ] Acupuncture is simple, safe and effective, with few adverse reactions, and has great advantages in clinical treatment.…”

Effect of acupuncture combined with rehabilitation on cognitive and motor functions in poststroke patients

“…A previous study has shown increased microcirculatory blood flow and decreased blood flow resistance after acupuncture treatment through transcranial doppler ultrasound (Hsiu, Hsu, Chen, Hsu, & Lin, 2013). Also, acupuncture might be involved in influencing the metabolic activity of neurons, promoting cerebral remodeling and plasticity, and regulating the glucose metabolism in poststroke patients (Wang, Shi, et al, 2020;. Acupuncture could affect the function of the brain and muscles through cortical excitability and motor cortex functional changes in poststroke patients (Sun et al, 2019).…”

“…Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of stroke increased every year in urban China (Feigin, Lawes, Bennett, Barker-Collo, & Parag, 2009;Wang, 2015). For example, the prevalence rate of stroke increased from 0.57% in 1986 to approximately 2.13% in 2013, in China (Wang, Shi, et al, 2020;. Many stroke patients can suffer from different types of sequelae (Wang, Shi, et al, 2020; such as cognitive decline and motor dysfunction, which can affect their quality of life (QOL), as well as can be a burden for the family and society (Levine et al, 2015;Lo Coco, Lopez, & Corrao, 2016).…”

Acupuncture Ameliorated Behavioral Abnormalities in the Autism Rat Model via Pathways for Hippocampal Serotonin

“…For example, acupuncture at Zusanli, Hegu, and Chize on both sides and Quchi, Kongzui, Lieque can significantly improve children’s pneumonia; 40 acupuncture at Ququan, Quchi, Zhongwan, Qihai, Zusanli and Sanyinjiao can improve the gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with Crohn’s disease, such as chronic dyspepsia, reflux, abdominal pain and excessive diarrhea; 41 acupuncture of Fengchi, Zusanli and other acupoints can significantly improve children’s enuresis, 42 and acupuncture at four Shengong and Baihui can significantly improve central nervous system diseases, such as cerebral palsy in children. 43 For childhood autism, common acupuncture methods include brain tri-points, four-spirit points, spirit setting points, mental tri-points, spirit waiting-up points and foot mental points, etc. 44 Acupuncture can also significantly improve the symptoms of various animal models, such as animal model of COPD, 45 animal model of cerebra hemorrhage, 46 animal model of PCOS 47 and animal model of ASD.…”