Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Pediatric Tourette Syndrome: A Case Report

Reason: In clinical treatment, Pediatric Tourette syndrome is primarily treated with Western medicine. The condition tends to relapse and can result in psychological, behavioral, and emotional difficulties for affected children. In this study, traditional Chinese acupuncture was used to treat a case of TS in a child, achieving satisfactory clinical efficacy. Patient concerns: The 11-year-old male patient became mentally tense 4 years ago due to parental scolding, and developed involuntary blinking, limb twitching, and subsequently experienced shoulder shrugging, sniffing, difficulties in concentration, and urinary incontinence.After undergoing assessments including the Neurobehavioral Examination and Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After treatment in Nanjing Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and other hospitals, he still did not improve. During the initial consultation at our hospital, the YGTSS score was 42, indicating a moderate level of tics. Symptoms included involuntary blinking, sniffing, limb twitching, and coprolalia. Diagnosis: In this study, the patient was diagnosed using a comprehensive assessment method that included biological marker testing and behavioral indicator testing. Interventions: Traditional Chinese acupuncture was Appli ed for treatment. Outcomes: After 3 treatments, the symptoms of blinking, sniffing, frowning, and limb twitching were improved. The frequency of episodes decreased, and the sleep condition was significantly improved. After 5 treatments, the child's involuntary movement symptoms had basically disappeared, no enuresis occurred, and his mood was good. The YGTSS score was 7 points, according to the YGTSS efficacy assessment criteria, a reduction rate greater than 60% indicates significant improvement. In this case, the reduction rate after 7 treatments was 83.3%. The symptoms were significantly controlled, and the patient's performance in school and social interactions improved. Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for pediatric Tourette syndrome with coprolalia is remarka ble, indicating the need for further research in this area. Abbreviations: TS: Tourette's syndrome; TCM’ traditional Chinese medicine; YGTSS: Yale Comprehensive Tic Severity Scale; ADL: activities of daily living