Effects of acupuncture combined with bone-setting therapy to treat tourette syndrome: a three-arm randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with atlantoaxial joint bone-setting therapy for the treatment of Tourette syndrome.

Methods: We randomly divided 600 patients at a ratio of 1∶1∶1 into three groups: group A (acupuncture combined with atlantoaxial joint bone setting therapy group), group B (acupuncture group), and group C (tiapride group). After two months of treatment, the Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) score reduction, improvement in social function impairment, clinical efficacy, and long-term efficacy in the three groups were compared.

Results: After treatment, in the analysis of YGTSS score reduction, social function impairment improvement, the clinical control rate, and long-term efficacy, the results were all Group A > Group B > Group C, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). However, the total clinical efficacy of treatment in group A (94.9%) was not significantly different from that in group B (91.8%). Adverse reactions did not occur in groups A and B, and several adverse reactions occurred in 29% (n = 58) of the group C patients.

Conclusion: Compared with traditional drug therapy, acupuncture combined with atlantoaxial joint bone setting therapy has better clinical and long-term efficacy. This treatment strategy can improve the social function of children and prevent adverse reactions to drugs.