Clinical Research On The Treatment Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Based On The Theory Of "gut-brain Axis"

Objective1.To observe clinical effects of treating Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD)with activating spleen theory in traditional chinese medicine.2.To observe the change of food specific IgG after treament of activating spleen,evaluate effects of this therapy for food intolerance,and discuss the relationship between food intolerance and ASD.Methods12children(age 3-14 years old)diagnosed ASD in specialized hospitals were involved in Dongzhimen Hospital affliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine during January 2018 to October 2018.All statutory guardians of the children signed informed consent form.The children were prescribed with chinese medicine granule based on activating spleen theory.The granule was taken after breakfast and dinner,and the treatment lasted for 12 weeks.The children were assessed before and after treatment with Autistic Behavior Checklist(ABC),Childhood Autism Rating Scale(CARS)and scale of symptoms in chinese medicine.Their IgG level for 4 kinds of food(egg,milk,pork,wheat)was tested before and after treatment.ResultsThere is statistic significance(P<0.01)comparing baseline CARS score(40.92±5.62)and the score after treatment(35.42±3.40),baseline ABC score(75.8±14.8)and the score after treatment(61.8±13.5).When comparing subscales of ABC,sensing ability shows statistic significance(P<0.05)between baseline(11.8±5.2)and after treatment(9.3±3.8),social ability shows statistic significance(P<0.01)between baseline(18.1.8±3.8)and after treatment(15.0±3.7),motor ability shows statistic significance(P<0.01)between baseline(16.7±6.3)and after treatment(13.0±5.0),self care ablitily shows statistic significance(P<0.01)between baseline(14.0±2.7)and after treatment(10.8±1.7).However there is no statistic significance on language comparing baseline(15.3±4.4)and after treatment(13.7±4.5).For each food's specific IgG:9 children are positive for milk at baseline and none of them turn negative after treatment;12children are positive for egg at baseline and none of them turn negative after treatment;9children are positive for wheat at baseline and 3 of them turn negative after treatment,the rate is 33.33%;4 children are positive for pork at baseline and 1 of them turns negative after treatment,the rate is 8.33%.Assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms in chinese medicine shows 0 cured,0 noneffective,5 are remarkably effective and 7 are effective,and the total effectiveness rate is 100%.Conclusion1.Gastrointestinal symptoms can be relived by chinese medicine based on activating spleen theory and gut-brain axis.Autistic behavior can be relieved at the same time.2.Sensing,social,motor and self care ability can be improved by chinese medicine based on activating spleen theory.3.This study can't prove the target of treating ASD with chinese medicine is food specific IgG.