OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of quick meridian needling therapy plus scalp acupuncture on infantile cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODSOne hundred and forty-seven cases of CP were randomly divided into a quick meridian needling therapy plus scalp acupuncture group (group A), a conventional acupuncture group (group B) and a scalp acupuncture group (group C), 49 cases in each one. In group A, quick needling was applied to the Conception Vessel, Governor Vessel, Hand-Yangming, Hand-Jueyin, Foot-Yangming and Foot-Taiyin meridians distributed on four limbs and trunk. One pricking point was 10 mm far from the other one. In scalp acupuncture, motor area, equilibrium area, sensory area, tremor-control area, foot-motor-sensory area, speech No. 2 area, speech No. 3 area, Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), etc. were selected. The needles were stimulated with rotating manipulation and remained for 30-60 min. In group B, the conventional acupuncture was adopted mainly at Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12), Fengfu (GV 16) and others. In group C, the scalp acupuncture was used and the points selected were same as those in group A for scalp acupuncture treatment. The scores of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) were observed before and after treatment for children. The clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated. By follow-up for 12 months, the condition of independent walking was observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in group A was 79.6% (39/49), which was superior to that of group B [49.0% (24/49)] and group C [51.0% (25/ 49)] respectively (both P < 0.05). After treatment, GMFM scores of children were all improved significantly in 3 groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), of which, the improvement extent in group A was superior to that of other two groups (both P < 0.05). It was found after follow-up for 1 year that 31 cases could walk independently in group A, which was more than group B (17 cases) and group C (16 cases).

CONCLUSIONThe quick meridian needling therapy plus scalp acupuncture can improve significantly limb motor function of children with cerebral palsy and its therapeutic effect is superior to conventional acupuncture and simple scalp acupuncture.