QST massage research in children with disabilities

Dr. Louisa Silva and the QST Institute have published 21 scientific studies evaluating the effect of QST massage protocols on autistic children and children with Down syndrome. Randomized, controlled studies show improvement of sensory, behavioural and developmental problems. In autistic children, all aspects of autism improve and autism becomes less severe. In children with Down syndrome speech and motor skills improve.

PUBLISHED AUTISM  STUDIESQST massage for 6-12 year olds with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An extension study​. Silva, L, Schalock M, Gabrielson K, Horton-Dunbar G. Published by Western Oregon University Full Text. 1 and 2-year Outcomes of Treating Preschool Children with Autism with a Qigong Massage Protocol: An Observational Follow-along Study. Silva, L, Schalock M, Gabrielsen KR, Horton-Dunbar G. Journal of Alternative and Integrative Medicine 5:216. (2016). Full Text. First Skin Biopsy Reports in Children with Autism Show Loss of C-Tactile Fibers. Silva, L., Schalock, M. (2016). Journal of Neurological Disorders 4:262 (2016). Full Text. ​ About Face: Evaluating and Managing Tactile Impairment at the Time of Autism Diagnosis. Silva, L., Schalock, M., Gabrielsen, K. (2015). Autism Research and Treatment, Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 612507, 10 pages, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/612507. Full Text. Early intervention with a parent-delivered massage protocol directed at tactile abnormalities decreases severity of autism and improves child-to-parent interactions: a replication study. Silva, L., Schalock, M., Gabrielsen, K., Budden, S., Buenrostro, M., and Horton, G. (2015). Autism Research and Treatment, Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 904585, 16 pages, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/904585. Full TextTreatment of Tactile Impairment in Young Children with Autism: Results with Qigong Massage. Silva, L. Schalock, M. (2013). International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, 6(4):12-20.  Full TextPrevalence and Significance of Abnormal Tactile Responses in Young Children with Autism. Silva, L. Schalock, M. (2013). North American Journal of Medicine and Science, 6(3):121-127.  Full Text ​Alternative Support for Families with Autistic Children in Lithuania. Silva, L., Vaicekauskaite, R., & Aciene, E. (2012). Tiltai/Bridges, 2(59):125-132.   Full Text ​Early Intervention for Autism with a Parent-delivered Qigong Massage Program:  A Randomized Controlled Trial. Silva, L., Schalock, M. & Gabrielsen, K. (2011). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(5):550-559.   AbstractFull TextQigong Massage Treatment for Sensory and Self-Regulation Problems in Young Children with Autism:  A Randomized Controlled Trial . Silva, L., Schalock, M., Ayres, R., Bunse, C., & Budden, S. (2009).  American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63, 423-432.   AbstractFull TextA Model and Treatment for Autism at the Convergence of Chinese Medicine and Neuroscience: First 130 Cases. Silva, L., Ayres, R., & Schalock, M. (2011). Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 17(6):421-429.   AbstractFull TextAutism Parenting Stress Index:  Initial Psychometric Evidence. Silva, L. & Schalock, M. (2011). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder.   AbstractFull TextSense and Self-Regulation Checklist, a Measure of Comorbid Autism Symptoms:  Initial Psychometric Evidence. Silva, L. & Schalock, M. (2012). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(2):177-186.   AbstractFull TextOutcomes of a Pilot Training Program in a Qigong Massage Intervention for Young Children with Autism. Silva, L., Ayres, R., & Schalock, M. (September/October 2008). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(5), 530-538.   AbstractFull Text“Willing to Try Anything,” “Nothing to Lose”: How Families Experience and Explain an Alternative Treatment for Autism. Ferguson, D. & Silva, L.M.T. (2008). Teaching Research Institute Publications.   Link: https://www.wou.edu/tri/publications.php​Improvement in Sensory Impairment and Social Interaction in Young Children with Autism following Treatment with an Original Qigong Massage Methodology. Silva, L., Cignolini A., Warren, R., Skowron-Gooch, A., & Budden, S. (2007). American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 35(3), 393-406.   AbstractFull TextA Medical Qigong Methodology for Early Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Silva, L. & Cignolini, A. (2005).  American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 33(2), 315-27.   AbstractFull Text

PUBLISHED DOWN SYNDROME STUDIES ​ Improved Speech Following Parent-delivered Qigong Massage in Young Children with Down Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Silva, L. & Schalock, M., Williams, M. (2013). Early Child Development and Care. Abstract​Qigong Massage for Motor Skills in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome. Silva, L., Schalock, M., Garberg, J., & Lammers Smith, C. (2012). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(3):348-55.  Abstract

PUBLISHED CEREBRAL PALSY STUDYQigong Massage for Motor Skills in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome. Silva, L., Schalock, M., Garberg, J., & Lammers Smith, C. (2012). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(3):348-55.  Abstract

QST RESEARCH PUBLISHEDBY RESEARCHERS INDEPENDENT FROM QSTIQigong Sensory Training pilot study: A tactile home program for children with or at-risk for autism. Orit Tal-Atzili , OTD, OTR/L & Joyce Salls , OTD, OTR/L, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. Published online:19 May 2017. AbstractNeural Mechanisms of Qigong Sensory Training Massage for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Feasibility Study. Kristin K Jerger, MD, LMBT,1 Laura Lundegard,2 Aaron Piepmeier, PhD,1 Keturah Faurot, PA, MPH, PhD,1 Amanda Ruffino, BA,1 Margaret A Jerger, PhD, CCC-SLP,1 and Aysenil Belger, PhD3; Global Advances in Health and Medicine, Published online: 4 April 2018.  Abstract

Qigong in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Rodrigues JM, Mestre M, Fredes LI. - J Integr Med. 2019 Jul;17(4):250-260. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2019.04.003. AbstractAtypical Response to Caregiver Touch in Infants at High Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kadlaskar G, Seidl A, Tager-Flusberg H, et al.  -  J AutismDev Disord. 2019 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04021-0. Full TextExploring a massage intervention for parents and their children with autism: the implications for bonding and attachment. Cullen-Powell LA, Barlow JH, Cushway D. - J Child Health Care. 2005 Dec;9(4):245-55. PubMed PMID: 16275663.Zen shiatsu: a longitudinal case study measuring stress reduction in a child with autism spectrum disorder. Burke A. - Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2014 Dec 2;7(4):23-8. eCollection 2014 Dec. AbstractSocial touch interacts with infants’ learning of auditory patterns. Lew-Williams C, Ferguson B, Abu-Zhaya R, Seidl A.  - Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2019 Feb;35:66-74.doi: 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.09.006. Full textThe Beneficial Effects of Massage on Motor Development and Sensory Processing in Young Children with Developmental Delay: A Randomized Control Trial Study. Lu WP, Tsai WH, Lin LY, Hong RB, Hwang YS.  - Dev Neurorehabil. 2018 Oct 30:1-9. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2018.1537317. AbstractInfant Avoidance During A Tactile Task Predicts Autism Spectrum Behaviors In Toddlerhood. Mammen MA, Moore GA, Scaramella LV, et al.  - Infant Ment Health J. 2015 Nov-Dec;36(6):575-87. doi: 10.1002/imhj.21539. Full Text