Abstract: Yildiz, Aktas, Uzun, , , , , , (). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in autism: is there evidence? Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, ;35(6):453-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19175200
Autism
Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
Several uncontrolled studies of hyperbaric treatment in children with autism have reported clinical improvements; however, this treatment has not been evaluated to date with a controlled study. We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to assess the efficacy of hyperbaric treatment in children with autism. 62 children with autism recruited from 6 centers, ages 2-7 years (mean 4.92 +/- 1.21), were randomly assigned to 40 hourly treatments of either hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 atmosphere (atm) and 24% oxygen (“treatment group”, n = 33) or slightly pressurized room air at 1.03 atm and 21% oxygen (“control group”, n = 29). Outcome measures included Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC).
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Thai autistic children.
Abstract: Autism is a developmental and behavioral pattern, the triad of impairments, 1. social interaction, 2. social communication, 3. imagination. Their memories are seemingly in picture or photo records. Difficulties in the treatment, management, and handling of...
A review of recent reports on autism: 1000 studies published in 2007.
Abstract: From 1000 studies published in 2007 on all aspects of autism, those that reached clear conclusions or included quantitative data were selected for this review. Possible etiologies include elemental metals, especially the inconsistent evidence regarding...
Clinical Trial – Pilot Study of the Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment on Behavioral and Biomarker Measures in Children With Autism
The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen
Treatment (HBOT) on the behavior and functioning of children with autism. The main goal of
this study is to demonstrate that HBOT is safe and tolerable in autistic children, and to
measure the effect of HBOT on specific chemicals in their blood that may play a role in the
child’s behavior.
The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on oxidative stress, inflammation, and symptoms in children with autism: an open-label pilot study.
Abstract: Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has increased in popularity as a treatment for autism. Numerous studies document oxidative stress and inflammation in individuals with autism; both of these conditions have demonstrated improvement with HBOT, along...
Clinical Trial – Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Children With Autism
PURPOSE
The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in children who present with a diagnosis of autism spectrum
disorder.
HYPOTHESIS
1. Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will be safe to use with children with autism.
2. Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will have a statistically significant effect on the
symptoms of autism.
3. Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will have a clinically significant observable effect on
the overt symptoms of autism.
4. The decreases in the symptoms of autism will correlate positively with the number of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy sessions.
5. Treatment gains obtained from Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy will be maintained at
follow-up, post 40 treatment sessions.
SPECIFIC AIMS
1. Provide further evidence for the safety of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in children
with autism.
2. To quantitatively assess the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy on behavioral and
cognitive symptoms of autism before, during, and after treatment.
3. Identify number of treatments required to reach therapeutic effects.
4. Identify the length and durability of treatment effect and maintenance.
Clinical Trial – Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy on Adaptive, Aberrant and Stereotyped Behaviors in Children With Autism
The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of
Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy in children who present with a diagnosis of autism and other
developmental disabilities.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy might improve certain pathophysiological findings in autism.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder currently affecting as many as 1 out of 166 children in the United States. Numerous studies of autistic individuals have revealed evidence of cerebral hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation and gastrointestinal inflammation, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, relative mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmitter abnormalities, impaired detoxification of toxins, dysbiosis, and impaired production of porphyrins. Many of these findings have been correlated with core autistic symptoms. For example, cerebral hypoperfusion in autistic children has been correlated with repetitive, self-stimulatory and stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication, sensory perception, and social interaction.
Clinical Trial – A Controlled Trial of the Clinical Effects of Hyperbaric Therapy in Autistic Children
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder currently affecting as many as 1 out of 166 children
in the United States. Autism is considered by many to be a permanent condition with little
hope for improvement. Treatment for autism is centered on special schooling and behavioral
therapy; medical science currently has little to offer. Recent research has discovered that
some autistic individuals have decreased blood flow to the brain, evidence of
gastrointestinal and brain inflammation, increased markers of oxidative stress, and a
relative mitochondrial dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can compensate for
decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even
normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT
has potent anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent
evidence demonstrates that HBOT increases the production of mitochondria and mobilizes stem
cells from human bone marrow, which may aid recovery in neurodegenerative diseases. Based
upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will improve symptoms in autistic
individuals.
Our recent retrospective case series demonstrated that HBOT may improve symptoms in autistic
children. We recently completed a prospective pilot trial using HBOT in 18 children which
demonstrated significant clinical improvements in autistic children on several standardized
scales. Most of the scales were parent-rated, although some were rated by teachers. However,
parents were not blinded to the fact that their children received HBOT and evaluation of the
children was through parent-rated scales, either of which could lead to bias. There was no
placebo or control group. Therefore, the improvements found in this prospective study could
have been due merely to chance or the natural development of the children. To determine if
HBOT improves symptoms in autistic children, a double-blind controlled study is needed.