Electroacupuncture stimulation modulates functional brain connectivity in the treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy: a case report

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1392958
• Publication Date: 2024-04-22T05:17:20Z
• Authors: Zongbo Sun; Chenglin Li; Laixin Sun; Wenwen Yang; Xueli Qu; Yuanyuan Li; Xiao Duan; Fengyu Guo; Xuejing Sun; Mingzhu Yang; Tong Qi; Longyun Zhu; Shuai Wang; Yu Xia; Yanan Du; Shuhui Luo; Lingling Li; Yu Gu; Yaya Wang; Li Yang
• Keywords: Brain stimulation

Background Pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive brain injury syndrome characterized by central motor dysfunction and insufficient coordination ability. The etiology of CP complex often accompanied diverse complications such as intellectual disability language disorders, making clinical treatment difficult. Despite the availability pharmacological interventions, rehabilitation programs, spasticity relief surgery options for CP, their effectiveness still constrained. Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation has demonstrated great improvements in function, but its comprehensive, objective therapeutic effects on pediatric remain to be clarified. Methods We present case 5-year-old Chinese female child who was diagnosed with at age 4. patient exhibited severe impairments motor, language, social, cognitive functions. performed 3-month period EA rehabilitation, obtaining resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) 0 month, 3 months 5 since started, then connectivity patterns each phase comparison. Results After 12-month follow-up, notable advancements were observed patient’s social symptoms. Changes confirmed this effect showed specific benefits different recovery phase: starting from functions modulating participation other developmental behaviors. Conclusion This pioneering report demonstrating longitudinal patients, suggesting an effective intervention disabilities (especially dysfunctions) associated CP.