Objective To observe therapeutic effects of scalp acupuncture at close acupoints combined with rehabilitation training on balance functions of children with cerebral palsy （CP）. Methods Sixty children with CP were randomly divided into a scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training group （group SA＋RT） and a rehabilitation training group （group RT） with 30 cases in each group. Conventional rehabilitation therapy and balance training were applied in group RT, and scalp acupuncture at close acupoints in the parietal region and sub-occipital region was added besides rehabilitation training in group SA＋RT. Balance functions were evaluated by using Berg rating scale, and abilities of daily living were estimated by using rating scale for activities of daily living （ADL）. Results After treatment, both Berg scores for balance and ADL scores were significantly improved in both groups （all P0.05）, and the improvement in group SA＋RT was more obvious than that in group RT （ both P0.05）. Conclusion Combination of scalp acupuncture at close acupoints with rehabilitation training is superior to simple rehabilitation training in improving balance functions and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy.
