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The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in children with autism spectrum disorders
Anna Kostiukow1, Włodzimierz Samborski1
1Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Poznań, Poland.
Insights
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) improved psychosomatic parameters in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While most scores improved, one communication measure declined slightly, indicating nuanced effects of HBOT for ASD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with cerebral hypoperfusion.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a potential intervention to address cerebral hypoperfusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in improving psychosomatic parameters in children with ASD.
- To assess changes in specific behavioral and cognitive areas following HBOT.
Main Methods:
- A study group of 39 children (35 boys, 4 girls) with ASD received 40 HBOT sessions (1.5 atm, 60 min each).
- Therapeutic effects were assessed using the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
Main Results:
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in eight components of the ATEC and CARS scales, along with the total CARS score.
- A decline was noted in the ATEC Speech/language/communication item 'Can follow some commands' (p = 0.0431).
Conclusions:
- HBOT demonstrated positive effects on specific ATEC and CARS parameters in children with ASD.
- Improvements varied by age group, with younger children showing gains in sociability and cognitive awareness, and older children in obsessive speech and emotional response.
Abstract:
Research based on neuro-imaging findings indicate the presence of cerebral hypoperfusion (decreased blood flow) in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). One of modern therapeutic methods that can counteract cerebral hypoperfusion in those children is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Aim:
The aim of the present study was to examine whether a series of hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions can improve selected psychosomatic parameters in children with ASD.
Materials And Methods:
The study group comprised 35 boys and 4 girls with ASD, who undertook 40 HBOT sessions consisting of breathing hyperbaric oxygen (1.5 atm.). Each session lasted 60 min. The following questionnaire tests were used to assess the effects of the therapy: Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
Results:
Eight components of the ATEC and CARS scales as well as the CARS total score revealed statistically significant improvements. One out of all examined items - ATEC Speech/language/communication - "Can follow some commands" revealed a decline after the HBOT sessions (p = 0.0431).
Conclusions:
In younger children under study post-therapy improvements were found for the ATEC Sociability - "Does not imitate", ATEC Sensory/cognitive awareness - "Shows imagination", and ATEC Health/physical/behavior - "Sound-sensitive" items. In older children improvements were noted for ATEC Health/physical/behavior - "Obsessive speech" and CARS emotional response, adaptation to change, and total score.
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