Exploring the Neural Mechanisms of Acupuncture Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Multimodal Neuroimaging Trial.

In 30 seconds

This protocol describes a randomized, sham-controlled, stratified 2×2 trial designed to examine brain differences associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the acute neural response to acupuncture. It plans to enroll 35 participants with ASD and 35 typically developing controls, assigning each population to verum or sham acupuncture. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography will be measured before and after stimulation. The primary outcomes are resting-state network metrics and frontal relative band power; secondary analyses will compare changes after verum versus sham stimulation. Recruitment had begun, but the abstract reports no efficacy or neuroimaging results.

Key findings

• The planned sample is 70 participants: 35 with ASD and 35 typically developing controls.
• The trial compares verum acupuncture with superficial needling at nonacupoints in both participant populations.
• Neuroimaging outcomes include resting-state network metrics and frontal relative band power measured before and after stimulation.
• At the time reported, 23 participants with ASD and 21 typically developing participants had taken part; recruitment was ongoing.

Why it matters

The protocol addresses a gap in understanding how acupuncture stimulation relates to brain activity in ASD, while distinguishing disease-associated neural patterns from acute responses to stimulation. Its multimodal measurements may help define questions and neural markers for subsequent research. Because this is a protocol and no outcome results are reported, it does not establish clinical benefit or effectiveness.

What to keep in mind

This is a protocol with no reported outcome results; it is designed to assess acute neural responses, not establish longer-term clinical effectiveness.