Therapeutic Effects of Electroencephalogram-Based Bioelectric Stimulation on Cognitive-Behavioural Outcomes in Children With Dual Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability.

Researchers studied whether adding a brain stimulation treatment called EBBS to regular autism therapies helps children with autism and intellectual disability. They compared 147 children who got EBBS plus usual therapy to 163 children who got usual therapy alone. Children who received EBBS showed better improvements in autism symptoms, thinking skills, development, and daily life skills. Blood tests also showed positive changes in brain health markers.

This retrospective cohort study examined electroencephalogram-based bioelectric stimulation (EBBS) combined with conventional behavioural interventions in 310 children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. The intervention group (n=147) received EBBS plus standard ABA therapy and structured instruction, while the control group (n=163) received conventional interventions only. Results showed the EBBS group demonstrated significantly lower autism severity scores, improved cognitive function, better developmental outcomes across multiple domains, and enhanced quality of life measures. Biomarker analysis revealed increased serum levels of vitamin D, folic acid, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the EBBS group, suggesting potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying the observed improvements.

EBBS may represent a promising adjunctive intervention for children with ASD and intellectual disability, potentially enhancing outcomes beyond conventional behavioural therapies. However, prospective randomized trials are needed before clinical implementation. Clinicians should await stronger evidence and regulatory approval before considering this intervention.

Retrospective design limits causal inferences. No randomization mentioned, raising selection bias concerns. Lack of blinding may introduce assessment bias. Long-term effects and optimal treatment protocols unclear. Generalizability limited to children with dual ASD-ID diagnosis.

This investigation evaluates the interventional effects of electroencephalogram-based bioelectric stimulation (EBBS) on intellectual development and behavioural symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbid intellectual disability (ID). By utilising a retrospective cohort design, the research team analysed 310 clinically diagnosed cases of ASD and ID that were stratified into two intervention groups: a conventional group (n = 163) receiving conventional interventions (behavioural applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy and structured instruction) and an observation group (n = 147) receiving the same behavioural interventions combined with EBBS. Before and following the treatment, the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), developmental age and developmental quotient (DQ) and infants-junior middle school students' social-life abilities scale (S-M) were employed to assess symptom alleviation, cognitive capabilities and quality of life. The levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], folic acid (FA) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also measured.

After treatment, the observation group showed significantly lower CARS scores; increased post-treatment serum levels of 25(OH)D, FA and BDNF; and improved MoCA scores than the conventional group (p < 0.05). Regarding developmental age and DQ, the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in the subscales of fine motor skills, language, adaptive ability and social interaction after intervention (p < 0.05). Additionally, the S-M total scores and all quality-of-life indicators were superior in the observation group (p < 0.05). EBBS has the potential to collaboratively enhance the cognitive function, behavioural symptoms and quality of life of children with comorbid ASD and ID.