Table 3 Summary of non-randomized trials
References | Methods | Participants | Interventions | Measurements | Outcome and adverse effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[17] | Case series | 10 children | 40 days of HBO (1.5 atmosphere absolute; 100% oxygen) for 1 h, 5 days a week for 8 weeks, followed by a 4 week break, and then another 40 treatments over 8 weeks + Concurrent stable medical regime | Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory (PDDBI) | Significant improvements in total score and 3 of the 5 subscales of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) including irritability, lethargy, and hyperactivity Improvements in 3 out of ten subscales of Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory (PDDBI) No effects on cytokines level Adverse effects: 3 ear discomfort, 2 ear infections, 1 increased hyperactivity, 1 increased vocal sensitivity, 1 increased sensory needs, 1 insomnia, 1 dehydration, 1 fatigue, 1 irritability, 1 increased mouthing of objects, and 1 seizure. |
[15] | An open-label pilot study | 18 children with autism, 3 to16 years old | 40 hyperbaric sessions of 45 minutes 1.3 atm and 24% oxygen or 1.5 atm and 100% oxygen Concurrent medication was allowed. However, no new medication was administered during the study. | Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) | Significant improvements for motivation, speech, and cognitive awareness (p < 0.05). No major adverse events |
[14] | Retrospective study | 6 children with autism | 40 sessions of one hour of HBO at 1.3 ATA an 28-30% oxygen + concurrent therapies | Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) | Decreased symptoms, well tolerated |
[23] | Case series | 7 children | HBO (1.3 Atmospheric pressure., 100% oxygen, 10 sessions) treatment | Used instrument is not mentioned | Improvement No serious adverse effect |
[31] | Case series study | 16 children with mean age of 5 years and 9 months (range = 3 years and 10 months-9 years and 5 months). | 40 sessions of HBO (24% oxygen and 1.3 ATA) on 11 topographies of directly observed Behavior No change in medical treatment regimen or dietary regimen for 6 weeks prior to the study. | Direct observation Play sessions (a) vocal initiations behavior; (b) physical initiations; (c) vocal response; (d) physical response; (e) self-injurious behavior or aggression; (f) disruption; (g) tantrums; (h) vocal stereotypy; and (i) physical stereotypy | HBO neither improves nor worsens the autism symptoms. |
[24] | Case report | Three children | 88% (+/- 3%) oxygen at 1.3 ATA On topographies of behaviors | A Child Responses Measured was defined. | Two of the three children had improvements. |