Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of individualized needling on gross motor function in cerebral palsy infants

  • Special Topic Study
  • Published:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To observe the effect of individualized needling protocol (on the basis of functional brain mapping and standardized syndrome differentiation in Chinese medicine) on gross motor functions of infants with cerebral palsy (CP) and thus study the innovative means of combining acupuncture with rehabilitation management technique.

Methods

A total of 74 CP infants were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 37 in each group. Combined individualized needling and rehabilitation training were used in the treatment group, versus combined Jin’s needling (16 brain-benefiting points) and rehabilitation training in the control group. For both groups, acupuncture treatment was conducted once every other day and rehabilitation training every day. The dynamic changes of gross motor functions before treatment and after every 1-month treatment were measured and assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66.

Results

After treatment, the GMFM scores were significantly increased in both groups (P<0.01); there were no between-group statistical differences in increase range of the GMFM scores (P>0.05); the treatment protocol was not interacted with the treatment time; and the GMFM scores for spastic CP infants were better in the treatment group than that in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Combined scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training can produce positive effects on gross motor functions of CP infants. Individualized needling can obtain better effects than 16 brain-benefiting points in improving the gross motor functions of spastic CP infants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Becher JG. Pediatric rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy: general management, classification of motor disorders. J Prosthet Orthotics, 2002, 14(4): 143–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Scrutton D, Damiano DL, Mayston M. Management of the motor disorders of children with cerebral palsy. 2nd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004: 191.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Sun KX, Zhang HM. Review of literature on the treatment of infantile cerebral palsy by scalp acupuncture. Shanghai Zhenjiu Zazhi, 2004, 23(8): 38–41.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ye MZ, Tang HX. Brief introduction of Tang style scalp acupuncture. J Acupunct Tuina Sci, 2008, 6(3): 150–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang QY. The major academic characteristics of Jin’s three needles in treating cerebral palsy. Shanghai Zhenjiu Zazhi, 2004, 23(6): 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Shi W, Wang SJ, Yang H, Wang SJ. Study on reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Gross Motor-66 Function Classification System for cerebral palsy. Zhongguo Xunzheng Erke Zazhi, 2006, 1(2): 122–129.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Chen XJ, Li SC. Definition, classification and diagnosis conditions for infantile cerebral palsy. Zhonghua Wuli Yixue Yu Kangfu Zazhi, 2007, 29(5): 309.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Russell DJ, Rosenbaum PL, Avery LM, Lane M. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66 & GMFM-88) User’s Manual. London: Mac Keith, 2002: 56–170.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Shi W, Wang SJ, Liao YG, Yang H, Xu XJ, Shao XM. Reliability and validity of the GMFM-66 in 0- to 3-year-old children with cerebral palsy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2006, 85(2): 141–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wen YQ, Yu YP, Dong XL, Wu RM, Zeng M. Acupuncture application in treatment of infantile cerebral palsy. Guangming Zhongyi, 2008, 23(8): 1231–1232.

    Google Scholar 

  11. önsson G, Ekholm J, Schult ML. The international classification of functioning, disability and health environmental factors as facilitators or barriers used in describing personal and social networks: a pilot study of adults with cerebral palsy. Int J Rehabil Res, 2008, 31(2): 119–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Tan CJ, Lei YH. Clinical observation on combined acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy for spastic cerebral palsy. Zhongguo Kangfu Yixue Zazhi, 2008, 23(1): 72–73.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dou ZL. Spasm Evaluation and Treatment. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2004: 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Department, Tianshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changning District of Shanghai, Shanghai, 200051, China

    Jun Wang

  2. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China

    Ke-xing Sun & Xu-bo Wu

Authors
  1. Jun Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ke-xing Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xu-bo Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jun Wang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, J., Sun, Kx. & Wu, Xb. Effect of individualized needling on gross motor function in cerebral palsy infants. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 11, 13–18 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-013-0647-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-013-0647-8

Key Words

CLC Number

Search

Navigation