Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture("Jin's Sanzhen") treatment for autism patients with different severity.Methods A total of 202 autism children were divided into treatment group(n=118) and control group(n=84) according to their parents' will.Autism children in the treatment group were treated with "Jin's Sanzhen" therapy [for example

Niesanzhen:the point 2 cun superior to the ear tip

and those at the same level 1 cun apart on the left and right sides;Naosanzhen:Naohu(GV 17)

bilateral Naokong(GB 19)

etc.]

while those of control group accepted special training:behavior education(cognition

speech

communication ability

life self-care ability

etc.) and sensory integration training.The treatment was given to the patients in both groups once per day

six times a week for 4 months.Results Of the 78 and 58 severe patients in the treatment and control groups

63(80.8%) and 4(6.9%) experienced marked improvement

9(11.5%) and 33(56.9%) experienced improvement

6(7.7%) and 21(36.2%) failed

with the effective rates being 92.3% and 63.8% respectively.Of the 118 and 84 patients in the treatment and control groups

after the treatment

the no symptoms

mild

moderate and severe cases were 12(10.2%) and 3(3.6%)

56(47.5%) and 25(29.8%)

45(38.1%) and 23(27.4%)

5(4.2%) and 33(39.3%)

respectively.The total score of Childhood Autism Rating Scale of treatment group was significantly lower than that of control group after the treatment in severe cases(P<0.01)

showing a better therapeutic effect of the treatment group.Conclusion "Jin's Sanzhen" therapy has a better therapeutic effect for improving the autism patients symptoms at different severity.