Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Motor Functions and Self-Care Ability in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract Objectives: To observe the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in improving motor functions and self-care abilities in children with cerebral palsy in their early childhood. Design: A preliminary, prospective, cohort study. Settings/Location: Multicenter. Subjects: Children aged 2–6 years old. Interventions: Twenty-three children were included in the study and randomly assigned to a control group ([CG] N = 11) or a therapeutic group ([TG] N = 12). In the TG, children were treated with TEAS (Shousanli [LI10] and Waiguan [SJ5]) plus the exercise therapy, while in the control group, they were treated with sham TEAS plus exercise therapy. Therapies were performed five days per week for eight weeks. Outcome measures: The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Functional Independent Measurement for children (WeeFIM) were used to evaluate motor functions and self-care abilities before and after the therapies. Results: Greater improvements were observed in the TG concern...