Effect of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy on children diagnosed with autism

Abstract

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). Conclusions: Despite the improvements reported in both groups, our results do not support the utility of HBO2 in children diagnosed with autism.

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UHM 2018, VOL. 45, NO. 6 – EVALUATION OF FATAL DIVE ACCIDENTS IN TURKEY
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Effect of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy
on children diagnosed with autism
Alex Rizzato 1, Natalie D’Alessandro 2, Elisabetta Berenci 2, Alice Rinchi 2, Garrett Enten 4,
Giuliano Vezzani 3, Maurizio Proietti 2, Alberto Fiorito 1, Enrico Camporesi 4, Gerardo Bosco 1
1 Environmental physiology & medicine Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
2 Domus Medica, Casa di Cura privata, Repubblica di San Marino, Italy
3 Associazione Pazienti Trattati in iperbarismo (ASPATI), Fidenza, Italy
4 TEAMHEalth Research Institute, Tampa, Florida U.S.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Gerardo Bosco – gerardo.bosco@unipd.it
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
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 diag-
nosed 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 Behav-
ior 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).
Conclusions: Despite the improvements reported in
both groups, our results do not support the utility of HBO2
in children diagnosed with autism.
UHM 2018, VOL. 45, NO. 6 – AUTISM AND HYPERBARIC OXYGEN
Copyright © 2018 Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc.
______________________________________________________
KEYWORDS: autism; children; hyperbaric oxygen therapy;
psychology
INTRODUCTION
Autism (AD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder char-
acterized by impaired social interaction and commu-
nication that presents with narrow and stereotyped
patterns of behaviors. Although the estimated rate
of AD in the United States is one per 100 people [1],
previous epidemiologic studies have implied that
the prevalence of the pathology is increasing [2,3].
Annual treatment costs of AD within the United
States exceed several billion dollars [4]. With au-
tism rates increasing and costs on the rise, better and
cheaper treatments are continually being developed.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is an emerging
treatment modality for inflammatory pathways related
to AD [15,16]. According to the Undersea and Hyper-
baric Medical Society (UHMS), HBO2 is defined as
an intervention that utilizes 100% patient-inspired
oxygen inside a chamber pressurized to greater than
1.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA). These environ-
mental conditions increase the partial pressure of
oxygen (PPO2) and dissolved oxygen in plasma,
increasing the oxygenation of body tissues [17].
To date the UHMS has determined the beneficial
effect of HBO2 for 14 different diseases [18]. An in-
creasing number of studies are reporting that HBO2
improves neurological function. In particular, Jacobs,
et al. demonstrated significant and persistent gains of
cognitive function and memory in a group of people
with cognitive deficit receiving HBO2 at 100% and
2.5 ATA after 30 intermittent sessions [19]. Addition-
ally, a double-blind randomized controlled trial showed
that even young healthy adults treated for seven weeks