Effect of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy on children diagnosed with autism.
Introduction
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is emerging internationally as the primary treatment modality for inflammatory pathways related to neurological disorders. Currently, literature concerning its effectiveness in autistic children is limited. Using neurocognitive tests and clinical-diagnostic evaluations, this study evaluates the clinical, cognitive and behavioral effects of HBO2 on children diagnosed with autism.


Methods
An experimental HBO2 group (EXP: F = 1; M = 7; mean age: 7 ± 2.33; years) and a control non-HBO2 group of autistic children (CTRL: F = 2; M= 5; mean age: 6.6 ± 2.7 years) correctly completed the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC) before HBO2 (T0), after 40 sessions of HBO2 (T1), and one month after the end of treatments (T2). Additionally, the experimental HBO2 group was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale at T0 and T2.


Results
Total ABC score was lower at T2 (mean ± SD: 50.38 ± 18.55; p ⟨ 0.001) compared to scores obtained at T0 (mean ± SD: 57.5 ± 19.01). Similarly, in the control group the total ABC score differed statistically (p ⟨ 0.05) between T0 (103.6 ± 20.38) and (T2: 59 ± 25.25).


Conclusion
Despite the improvements reported in both groups, our results do not support the utility of HBO2 in children diagnosed with autism..
['Rizzato|Alex|A|', "D'Alessandro|Natalie|N|", 'Berenci|Elisabetta|E|', 'Rinchi|Alice|A|', 'Enten|Garrett|G|', 'Vezzani|Giuliano|G|', 'Proietti|Maurizio|M|', 'Fiorito|Alberto|A|', 'Camporesi|Enrico|E|', 'Bosco|Gerardo|G|']
D000704:Analysis of Variance D001321:Autistic Disorder D000067290:Behavior Rating Scale D016022:Case-Control Studies D002648:Child D004032:Diet D005260:Female D006801:Humans D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation D008297:Male D009483:Neuropsychological Tests D013997:Time Factors D016896:Treatment Outcome
hyperbaric oxygen therapy children autism psychology