What question did this study set out to answer?

To re-evaluate evidence for acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for pediatric autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using robust analytical methods.

Acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for autism spectrum disorder in children: a systematic review-meta-analysis and critical re-evaluation of the field

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Systematic review updates acupuncture's effectiveness in reducing autism symptoms in children, suggesting cautious optimism.

To re-evaluate evidence for acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for pediatric autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using robust analytical methods.
Conducted a systematic search across 13 databases, with no language restrictions, until May 20, 2026.
Analyzed 36 unique randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3,139 participants using robust variance estimation.
Assessed multiple moderators affecting treatment outcomes while applying GRADE standards for quality evaluation.
The pooled RVE estimate showed a large effect size of Hedges’ g = −0.961 (95% CI: −1.120 to −0.801; P = 3.46 × 10⁻14).
Significant moderators included outcome measure, treatment duration, intervention type, publication period, and diagnostic criteria (all P < 0.001).
Adverse event rate was about 0.8% with no serious events recorded in the analyzed population.

Fallahpour et al. (2026) studied this question.

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View Full Paper

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Authors

Systematic review updates acupuncture's effectiveness in reducing autism symptoms in children, suggesting cautious optimism.

To re-evaluate evidence for acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for pediatric autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using robust analytical methods.
Conducted a systematic search across 13 databases, with no language restrictions, until May 20, 2026.
Analyzed 36 unique randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3,139 participants using robust variance estimation.
Assessed multiple moderators affecting treatment outcomes while applying GRADE standards for quality evaluation.
The pooled RVE estimate showed a large effect size of Hedges’ g = −0.961 (95% CI: −1.120 to −0.801; P = 3.46 × 10⁻14).
Significant moderators included outcome measure, treatment duration, intervention type, publication period, and diagnostic criteria (all P < 0.001).
Adverse event rate was about 0.8% with no serious events recorded in the analyzed population.

Fallahpour et al. (2026) studied this question.

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