Research Studies Completed

Treatment of Sensory and Self-Regulation Problems in Young Children with Autism:  A Randomized Controlled Trial (in press)
Autism is commonly associated with disturbances of the sensory nervous system, digestion and sleep. This manuscript presents a randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of a five-month intervention directed towards improving measures of sensory impairment, digestion and sleep in 46 children with autism under six years of age.  The intervention, Qigong Sensory Training (QST) is a qigong massage intervention based in Chinese Medicine.  It is two-pronged, with trainers working with children directly 20 times over the five months, and parents giving the daily massage protocol to their children. Improvement was evaluated in two settings:  the pre-school and home, by teachers (blind to group) and parents. Teacher evaluations showed that children receiving the QST intervention had significant classroom improvement of social/language skills and reduction in autistic behavior compared to wait-list controls. Parent data confirmed the findings in the teacher data, indicating that the gains had generalized across contexts. A model for understanding and treating sensory and self-regulation impairments in autism is advanced, outcomes data supporting the model are presented, and the limitations of the research discussed.

Silva, L., Schalock, M., Ayres, R., Bunse, C., & Budden, S. (in press). Treatment of sensory and self-regulation problems in young children with autism: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. Download summary. 

Outcomes of a Pilot Training Program in a Qigong Massage Intervention for Young Children with Autism
Sensory impairment is a common and significant feature of children on the autism spectrum. In 2005, a qigong massage intervention based on Chinese Medicine, and delivered by a physician trained in Chinese medicine, was shown to provide short-term improvement of sensory impairment and adaptive behavior in a randomized control study with a small sample of young children with autism. The intervention was two-pronged, involving both direct treatment of the child as well as parent training in a follow-through massage.  In 2006, the methodology was adapted, and the Qigong Sensory Training (QST) program was developed with the aim of providing Western-trained occupational therapists and early intervention specialists sufficient theory and skills in Chinese Medicine and qigong massage to achieve proficiency in providing the intervention. This article describes the preliminary evaluation of the Qigong Sensory Training (QST) program as piloted with 15 professionals, 26 children and outcome testing using standardized tests of sensory impairment and adaptive behavior. Results of outcomes comparing delivery by QST trained therapists with delivery by a physician trained in Chinese Medicine showed that both groups receiving the intervention improved, and there was no difference in outcome between the two groups.  A description of the intervention and training program is provided. Implications for further research are discussed.      

Silva, L., Ayres, R., & Schalock, M. (September/October 2008). Outcomes of a pilot training program in a qigong massage intervention for young children with autism. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(5), 530-538. Download abstract and data summary. View abstract online. Download article.

Improvement in Sensory Impairment and Social Interaction in Young Children with Autism following Treatment with an Original Qigong Massage Methodology
In clinical research, sensory impairment is considered one of the core deficits in autism and is associated with impaired socialization, behavioral disturbances and bowel and sleep problems. The effectiveness of the Cignolini methodology, an original Qigong massage methodology, in treating sensory impairment in young children with autism was evaluated in a randomized, controlled study. Thirteen children with autism between the ages of three and six received daily treatment according to the methodology for five months. Compared with untreated children, treated children experienced measurable and significant improvement of their sensory impairment, and demonstrated increased social skills and basic living skills on standardized measures. In addition, all of the children with bowel and sleep abnormalities demonstrated improvement following treatment.      

Silva, L., Cignolini A., Warren, R., Skowron-Gooch, A., & Budden, S. (2007). Improvement in sensory impairment and social interaction in young children with autism following treatment with an original qigong massage methodology. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 35(3), 393-406. Download Article

A Medical Qigong Methodology for Early Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder
A Medical Qigong protocol (Cignolini, 2002) was applied to a group of 8 autistic children under the age of 6. The children received Medical Qigong Massage twice weekly from the physician and daily Qigong Massage from the parents for a five week period, followed by daily parent massage for an additional four weeks. Standardized tests showed a decrease in autistic behaviors and increase in language development in all the children, as well as improvement in motor skills, sensory function and general health.

Silva, L. & Cignolini, A. (2005). A medical qigong methodology for early intervention in autism spectrum disorder: A case series. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 33(2), 315-27.  Download Article