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.

Links:

You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
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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