Therapeutic Impacts of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Risperidone on Children With Autism: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background& Objectives: In this research, we investigated any possible effect of receiving Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) or Risperidone on the autism core symptoms in children diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A randomized, controlled clinical trial, in Minia and Assiut University hospitals in Egypt with three parallel groups. One hundred and eighty children with autism, ages 5–8 years, divided into equal three groups, Group1 (G1): (N=60) received 40 sessions of (HBOT) within two months. Group2 (G2): (N=60) received Risperidone (0.25 mg daily for children under 20 kg; 0.5 mg daily for children equal to or over 20 kg) for six months. Group3 (G3): (N=60) control group received a placebo for six months. Assessment of their Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores was done at the beginning of the study (baseline) and after one year. Results: The mean total CARS, total ATEC, and ATEC subscales scores were significantly decreased (improved) by varying degrees in the three groups after a year of follow-up compared to the baseline scores, but the best results were in order (G1) then (G2) and finally (G3). Interpretation & conclusions: There is a clear effect of using (HBOT) or Risperidone in treating the core symptoms of autism in children diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder. But using (HBOT) gives better results than using Risperidone therapy.