| Objective To analyze the clinical effect of Zengye Chengqi Tang combined with acupoint embedding on functional constipation (FC) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods From March 2022 to March 2024, 64 ASD children with FC admitted to the Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were randomly assigned into two groups using a random number table. The control group (n=32) received conventional treatment, while the study group (n=32) received Zengye Chengqi Tang combined with acupoint embedding on the top of the control group. The efficacy, TCM syndrome score, defecation status, gut microbiota, and gastrointestinal hormones were compared. Results The effective rate of the study group (93.75%, 30/32) was higher than that of the control group (75.00%, 24/32) (χ2=4.267, P=0.039). After treatment, the main symptom score, secondary symptom score, defecation time, number of Staphylococcus aureus, number of Escherichia coli, and somatostatin in both groups were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and the study group was lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the frequency of defecation, Bristol Fecal Typing Scale score, number of bifidobacteria, substance P, and motilin in both groups were higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and the study group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Zengye Chengqi Tang combined with acupoint embedding has a definite efficacy on FC in children with ASD. It can reduce the score of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, improve defecation, intestinal flora, and gastrointestinal hormones. |