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

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding EEG-based bioelectric stimulation to standard therapies improves cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with autism and intellectual disability.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating the added therapeutic benefits of EEG-based bioelectric stimulation in children with dual diagnosis of ASD and ID.

## Key findings

- Children receiving EBBS had significantly lower CARS scores and improved MoCA scores compared to conventional therapy.
- EBBS led to increased serum levels of 25(OH)D, folic acid, and BDNF, and better developmental outcomes in fine motor, language, and social skills.
- Quality of life indicators were significantly better in the EBBS group compared to conventional treatment.

## Abstract

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.