Research: Outcomes of a Pilot Training Program in a Qigong Massage Intervention for Children with Autism

Authored by Silva, LMT, Ayres R., and Schalock M. in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Volume 62, Issue 5, p. 538-546, (2008).

Article summary (posted Nov 20, 2008):

Qigong massage may be able to help children with autism improve sensory issues and problem behavior.

This study was designed to see if Western-trained people would be able to perform Qigong massage on children with autism and see results. They found that the 80-hour Qigong Sensory Training program was able to train therapists to provide Qigong massage. The authors found no difference in outcomes between children who were high-functioning and those who were low-functioning. The study did not have a control and it was small (26 children). The authors are now working on a larger randomized controlled study.

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You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF").
autism, control, controlled study, high-functioning autism, intervention, massage therapy, occupational therapy (OT), problem behavior, Qigong, Qigong Sensory Training, sensory integration, therapist, therapy
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