Objective To investigate the effects of Jianpi Zhidong Decoction combined with aripiprazole on muscle function and behavioral abnormality in children with pediatric multiple tics.

Methods A total of 90 children with pediatric multiple tics were selected as research objects, and they were randomly divided into aripiprazole group and Zhidong Decoction group, with 45 cases in each group. The efficacy, score of muscle function, score of behavioral tics, score of neurological function and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

Results After treatment, the total effective rate was 82.22% in the Zhidong Decoction group, which was significantly higher than 44.44% in the aripiprazole group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the score of tics intensity, score of number of tics and score of tics frequency in both groups decreased significantly, and scores of these indexes in the Zhidong Decoction group were significantly lower than those in the aripiprazole group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the score of vocal tic and score of motor tic in both groups decreased significantly, and the scores of these indexes in the Zhidong Decoction group were significantly lower than those in the aripiprazole group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in both groups decreased significantly, and the levels of 5-HT and DA in the Zhidong Decoction group were significantly lower than those in the aripiprazole group (P < 0.05); after treatment, the levels of norepinephrine (NE) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in both groups increased significantly, and the levels of NE and GABA in the Zhidong Decoction group were significantly higher than those in the aripiprazole group (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 6.67% in the Zhidong Decoction group, which was significantly lower than 26.67% in the aripiprazole group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The combination of Jianpi Zhidong Decoction and aripiprazole has a significant therapeutic effect in treating children with pediatric multiple tics, which can effectively improve muscle function, abnormal behaviors and neurological function, reduce the incidence rate of adverse reactions, and has higher safety.