Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. While the causes and symptoms of autism vary greatly, many studies have shown common occurrences of brain and gastrointestinal inflammation triggered by dysfunctional genetic expression and environmental toxicity.
Research and anecdotal evidence is largely in favor of utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for children who fall on any area of the autism spectrum. Parents often report improved sleep, speech, digestion, focus, detoxification, cognition, reflexes, social skills, generalized pain, sensory processing and more.
There are multiple mechanisms of action for hyperbaric therapy with autism. The anti-inflammatory response initiated by an increase of systemic oxygen to the body can positively affect children with inflammatory conditions within their brains and gastrointestinal tracts. If there is neuroinflammation affecting the speech center of the brain, reducing that inflammation could result in increased speech and communication. The same may be said for inflammation affecting other areas of the brain.
The effect of pressure being placed on the tissues and cells during a hyperbaric treatment can produce a “pushing” effect to stored toxins, both natural and environmental, releasing them into the bloodstream. This enables these toxins to be excreted from the body.
Many children on the autism spectrum experience clinical symptoms of anxiety and hyperactivity. On HRV tests, many children show to be in chronic sympathetic nervous response (also known as “fight or flight”). Hyperbaric therapy has been shown to reduce this response and help the body regulate its stress responses. This may lead to better sleep and a reduction in anxiety and hyperactivity.
Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
Daniel A Rossignol, Lanier W Rossignol, Scott Smith, Cindy Schneider, Sally Logerquist, Anju Usman, Jim Neubrander, Eric M Madren, Gregg Hintz, Barry Grushkin,and Elizabeth A Mumper
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).
After 40 sessions, mean physician CGI scores significantly improved in the treatment group compared to controls in overall functioning (p = 0.0008), receptive language (p < 0.0001), social interaction (p = 0.0473), and eye contact (p = 0.0102); 9/30 children (30%) in the treatment group were rated as "very much improved" or "much improved" compared to 2/26 (8%) of controls (p = 0.0471); 24/30 (80%) in the treatment group improved compared to 10/26 (38%) of controls (p = 0.0024). Mean parental CGI scores significantly improved in the treatment group compared to controls in overall functioning (p = 0.0336), receptive language (p = 0.0168), and eye contact (p = 0.0322). On the ABC, significant improvements were observed in the treatment group in total score, irritability, stereotypy, hyperactivity, and speech (p < 0.03 for each), but not in the control group. In the treatment group compared to the control group, mean changes on the ABC total score and subscales were similar except a greater number of children improved in irritability (p = 0.0311). On the ATEC, sensory/cognitive awareness significantly improved (p = 0.0367) in the treatment group compared to the control group. Post-hoc analysis indicated that children over age 5 and children with lower initial autism severity had the most robust improvements. Hyperbaric treatment was safe and well-tolerated.
Children with autism who received hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 atm and 24% oxygen for 40 hourly sessions had significant improvements in overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction, eye contact, and sensory/cognitive awareness compared to children who received slightly pressurized room air.
ROLE OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY AND RISPERIDONE IN DECREASING SEVERITY OF AUTISM: A CLINICAL TRIAL
Asmaa Salah Elddin Mohamed, Ahmed Abdelbaqy Abdelrahman, Usama Farghaly Aly and Khaled Ali Khaled
Introduction
Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder distinguished by dysfunction in sociality, verbal and non-verbal communication, pattern of repetitive behaviors, aggression and irritability (Brentani, 2013). PDD affects about four times more in boyes than girls (Baron-Cohen, 2002). PDD is big medulla of 5 subtypes, these subtypes are autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett’s syndrome, PDD-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. They differ in severity. By general, each of them called autism (Muse et al., 2012) The causative factor of PDD is not understood until now. Some studies validated that this disorder related to genetic factor al., 2007). Many researchers are trying to understand genetic factors interact with environmental factors to increase risk of this disorder.
Many researches are studying environmental factors such as parental age, family medical conditions and other demographic factors (Chaste et al., 2012). Many studies tried to determine if vaccines are a possible cause of autism (Taylor, 2014). No drug cure this disorder completely (Witwer, 2007). Risperidone only is FDA approved to treat irritability and aggression of autism (Robb, 2010). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a new approach to treat this disorder but not approved until now (Coben et al., 2010). The purpose of this study to determine effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy alone, Risperidone alone and combination of them to decrease severity of autism. Also, to determine relationship between socio-demographic data and severity of autism.
Conclusion
Autism is neurological disorders characterized by impairment in several areas of development. This disorder has more degree of severity. We concluded that positive consanguinity is associated with severity of autism and predict it. In addition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy also, combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and Risperidone have superior effect than Risperidone alone in decreasing severity of autism.
Chad Redinbo for Autism Hope Alliance 2019
Autism Hope Alliance Interview 2019
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