The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if abdominal transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (abdominal TEAS) works to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. It will also learn about the safety of abdominal TEAS. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does abdominal TEAS a safe and effective treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms? Researchers will compare abdominal TEAS to a placebo (a sham abdominal TEAS without stimulation) to see if abdominal TEAS works to treat ASD.
Participants will:
Take abdominal TEAS or sham abdominal TEAS 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Visit the clinic once every 4 weeks for checkups and tests Keep a diary of their symptoms.
Being diagnosed as autism based on the DSM-V and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
Aged 3 to 6 years
Diagnosed with other organic diseases (such as severe hearing and visual impairment, brain trauma) and neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy, Rett syndrome), or psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, etc)
Oral or injected antibiotics within 30 days before screening
History of acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TEAS treatment before screening
Taking antipsychotic drugs and psychobiotic supplements within 30 days before screening
First Affiliated Hospital Xi'an Jiaotong University
Lead sponsor
Xian Children's Hospital
Collaborator