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. 2011 Apr 13;2011(4):CD007839.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007839.pub2.

Acupuncture for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents

Shasha Li  1 , Bo Yu, Dong Zhou, Chengqi He, Lin Kang, Xiaotong Wang, Songhe Jiang, Xiang Chen
Affiliations

Acupuncture for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents

Shasha Li et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder with features of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. There is increasing interest in complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture; however, it remains unclear whether the use of acupuncture in children and adolescents with ADHD is supported by the existing evidence.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents.

Search strategy: We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 2); MEDLINE (21 May 2010); CINAHL (21 May 2010); EMBASE (21 May 2010); ERIC (21 May 2010); PsycINFO (21 May 2010), Chinese Biological Medicine Database (10 May 2010); Chinese Scientific Periodical Database of VIP INFORMATION (10 May 2010); China Periodical in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (10 May 2010); and Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Database (10 May 2010). We handsearched Chinese language journals and conference proceedings.

Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing acupuncture with placebo or sham acupuncture, or conventional treatment. Participants under the age of 18 years with any type of ADHD were included. Papers in any language were included.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors (S Li, B Yu) independently determined the studies to be included in the review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted the data using pre-developed extraction forms. The risk of bias within the trials was assessed by the same review authors in relation to allocation concealment, blinding and withdrawals. The measures of ADHD outcomes were extracted from core symptoms rating scales and additional secondary outcomes were considered.

Main results: No studies met the inclusion criteria for this review.

Authors' conclusions: A comprehensive search showed that there is no evidence base of randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials to support the use of acupuncture as a treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents. Due to the lack of trials, we cannot reach any conclusions about the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for ADHD in children and adolescents. This review highlights the need for further research in this area in the form of high quality, large scale, randomised controlled trials.

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Conflict of interest statement

Shasha Li ‐ none known Bo Yu ‐ none known Dong Zhou ‐ none known Chengqi He ‐ none known Lin Kang ‐ none known Xiaotong Wang ‐ none known Songhe Jiang ‐ none known Xiang Chen ‐ none known

Comment in

References

References to studies excluded from this review

Cai 1999 {published data only}
    1. Cai T, Lai X. Observation on therapeutic effects 155 cases of child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1999;1:5‐7.
Cheng 2009 {published data only}
    1. Cheng Y, Cui J, Cao Y. Acupuncture needle and auricular application in treating paediatric hyperactivity 32 cases. Medical Information Medicine and Surgery 2009;22(10):909‐10.
Kazuo 1990 {published data only}
    1. Kazuo M, Taro T, Hiroshi O, Kazunari U, Ziro K. A variation of acupuncture used in the sedation of hyperactive children. American Journal of Acupuncture 1990;18(4):359‐61.
Li 2004 {published data only}
    1. Li H. Pro Zhang Jia‐wei clinical study on acupuncture treatment of 380 cases of infantile attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2004;23(8):23‐4.
Li 2009 {published data only}
    1. Li S, Yu B, Yan B, Kang L, Jiang S, Li W, et al. Randomized‐controlled study of treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder of preschool children with combined electro‐acupuncture and behavior therapy. Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2009;27(6):1215‐8. - PubMed
Li 2010 {published data only}
    1. Li J, Chen P, Chen X, Li H. Clinical observations on the treatment of child hyperkinetic syndrome by acupuncture plus Chinese native medicine. Chinese Pediatrics of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine 2010;2(1):25‐7.
Liu 2006 {published data only}
    1. Liu L, Li W. Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking treatment of children with ADHD in 48 cases. Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2006;25(7):466‐7.
Liu 2007 {published data only}
    1. Liu M. A clinical observation on otopoint pressure‐massage on 40 ADHD cases. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2007;42(9):533.
Qie 2005 {published data only}
    1. Qie Y. Clinical observations on the treatment of child hyperkinetic syndrome by acupuncture plus flash cupping. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2005;24(7):13‐4.
Wang 2006 {published data only}
    1. Wang Z, Li M, Yang J. Clinical observations on treatment of attention deficit disorder in child by combined acupuncture and medicine. Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2006;13(6):78‐9.
Xiao 2003 {published data only}
    1. Xiao D, Yuan L, Xiong B, Zhou L. Clinical observations on treatment of 136 cases of child attention deficit disorder by combined acupuncture and medicine. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2003;22(10):13‐4.
Xu 2007 {published data only}
    1. Xu X, Liu H, Peng J. Comparative observation on acupuncture and western medicine for treatment of minimal brain dysfunction. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2007;27(12):904‐6. - PubMed
Zhang 1997 {published data only}
    1. Zhang Z. Combined therapy mainly with acupuncture treatment of children with ADHD in 117 cases. Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1997;16(4):19.
Zhang 2000 {published data only}
    1. Zhang Y, Zhang X. Observations on therapeutic effects 41 cases of attention deficit disorder in child by combined acupuncture and Jingling oral liquid medicine. Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2000;16(5):22‐3.

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