A 2021 attention deficit acupuncture research study found that acupuncture significantly enhanced outcomes when combined with counseling compared to counseling alone. Investigators conducted the research at the Weifang Municipal Yidu Central Hospital in China. Treatments combining acupuncture and psychological intervention yielded 83.3% effectiveness, while counseling alone had a 63.3% effective rate. Results were measured using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test and the Digital Transcranial Doppler.
ADHD Acupuncture Study Design
One hundred patients participated in the study, which was conducted between January and September 2019. Participants were randomly divided, 50 into the acupuncture treatment group (acupuncture plus counseling) and 50 into the control group (counseling alone). All had an ADHD diagnosis meeting the standards of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5.
In addition, participants in the attention deficit acupuncture research study met the following criteria:
- All participants were between the ages of six and fourteen.
- They had not received any treatment before the research.
- Parents or guardians signed consent forms before the investigation.
Attention Deficit Acupuncture Research
Both groups received concentration training, including role-playing and counseling, twice a day for 30 minutes. The acupuncture group received acupuncture in addition to the therapeutic intervention. Acupoints for their treatment included: LV3, PC6, HT7, SP6, GV20, and Sishencong. Therapies for both groups lasted three months.
The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test evaluates patient attention and response inhibition. The Digital Transcranial Doppler is used to measure blood flow to the brain. At the completion of treatment, investigators compiled efficacy rates into four categories:
1. Recovery: the complete absence of ADHD symptoms.
2. Significantly effective: at least five ADHD symptoms reduced.
3. Effective: at least two ADHD symptoms reduced.
4. Not effective: no improvement in ADHD severity.
Acupuncture Improves ADHD
The acupuncture plus psychological intervention group outperformed the stand-alone psychological intervention group, seeing improvement in all reporting parameters. It delivered an 83% total effective rate compared to a 63.3% effective rate with the stand-alone psychological intervention group. The investigators concluded that acupuncture improves cerebral artery blood flow in children with ADHD, increases their sustained attention and ability to inhibit distraction, and increases overall treatment effectiveness for ADHD patients.
Next Steps
Our experience treating patients with ADHD mirrors the success seen in this attention deficit acupuncture research study. Concentration and focus increase, and distraction decreases. Treatments are safe and natural, with no adverse effects.
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Reference
Zhang 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 [J]. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2021,04:400-404.
Keyword: attention deficit acupuncture research
