Clinical Observation on the Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Cheek Acupuncture

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of buccal acupuncture in treating sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A total of 60 hospitalized children diagnosed with ASD complicated by sleep disorders from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The treatment group received buccal acupuncture combined with rehabilitation education, while the control group received parental sleep education combined with rehabilitation education. Assessments were conducted before and after treatment using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) to compare the clinical efficacy between the two groups. Paired t-tests were used for within-group comparisons, and independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used for between-group comparisons. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded in both groups. Results: Within-group comparison: After treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in five indicators—sleep habits, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep anxiety, and daytime sleepiness (all P<0.05); the treatment group also demonstrated significant improvements in CARS and ABC scores (all P<0.05). Between-group comparison: The treatment group exhibited significantly greater improvements than the control group in CARS score, ABC score, CSHQ total score, sleep habits, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep anxiety, and daytime sleepiness (all P<0.05); no significant differences were observed between the two groups in sleep duration, nocturnal awakenings, paradoxical sleep, or sleep-disordered breathing (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Buccal acupuncture effectively improves sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demonstrating significant efficacy particularly in reducing the total CSHQ score, modifying sleep habits, shortening sleep latency, increasing sleep duration, alleviating sleep anxiety, and reducing daytime sleepiness. It also enhances core ASD symptoms and broad behavioral issues, making it clinically valuable for widespread application.