Autism Therapy: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

definition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): This therapy is the medical use of oxygen at pressures higher than that found naturally at normal atmospheric pressure. HBOT is used medically for a variety of conditions. HBOT is being explored for effectiveness in helping children with autism. There have been reports of HBOT improving language skills and social interaction in children with autism.

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Scientifically Unsupported Therapies in the Treatment of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Pediatric Annals, by Schechtman, MA, published in 2007, summarized Dec 11, 2008

Many parents use scientifically unproven therapies to help their children with autism.

This article reviews a few therapies that are used to treat autism (vitamins, sensory integration therapy, facilitated communication, auditory integration therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and others). The author states that while some treatments can improve autism in many children, the above therapies have not been proven to work in research studies. Vitamin therapy includes vitamins A, C, B6-magnesium complex, folic acid, and B12. Sensory integration therapy is designed to help children learn to process the input from their senses. Facilitated communication involves having a person guide the child with autism as he or she talks through a computer.


Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Thai Autistic Children
J Med Assoc Thai, by Chungpaibulpatana, J., Sumpatanarax T., Thadakul N., Chantharatreerat C., Konkaew M., and Aroonlimsawas M., published in 2008, summarized Nov 10, 2008

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may help children with autism to sleep better, think better, and have better social skills.

Some children with autism have problems with the limbic system of the brain. Some people believe that HBOT may help with this problem by feeding the brain more oxygen. This study was designed to see if HBOT is a good therapy for autism. HBOT decreased the symptoms of autism in 75% of the seven children tested in this study. The authors suggest that many different types of therapies may be used together to help children with autism.


A Review of Recent Reports on Autism: 1000 Studies Published in 2007
Epilepsy & Behavior, by Hughes, JR, published in 2008, summarized Oct 28, 2008

Children with autism have medical and therapy costs that are $4,110-6,200 more than children without autism.

This article reviews the autism research studies that were published in 2007. The most common drug therapy is risperidone, which may lessen irritability, repetition, and social withdrawal. Other drugs used as autism therapy include atypical antipsychotics, antibiotics, and memantine. One study found that acupuncture helped over half of the children with autism who received treatment. The article also reviewed massage therapy, robots, electroconvulsive therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and music therapy.


The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Symptoms in Children with Autism: An Open-Label Pilot Study
BMC Pediatrics, by Rossignol, DA, Rossignol LW, James SJ, Melnyk S., and Mumper E., published in 2007, summarized Mar 31, 2008

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) appears to be safe and may improve symptoms of autism.

This study was designed to see if HBOT had an effect on blood work or behavior of children with autism. The study used low hyperbaric pressure (1.5 atm and 100% oxygen or 1.3 atm and 24% oxygen). The therapy sessions were 45 minutes long, which is shorter than the 60 minutes often used for HBOT. The authors found that HBOT did not increase cell stress (intracellular oxidative stress). This is good because others studies have found that symptoms of autism get worse when there are signs of cell stress.


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Malaysian Group Empowers Parents of Children with Autism

May 9, 2011

KL Biomed is a biomedical- and holistic-based support network for families dealing with autism spectrum disorder. This Malaysian group focuses on complementary and alternative treatments (CAM) for autism as well as empowering families to research what works best for their children. While KL Biomed advocates checking with a DAN doctor before beginning treatment, some of the therapies they promote include: naturopathy, homeopathy, HBOT, cranial-sacral therapy, neurofeedback, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and dietary supplements. KL Biomed runs an online forum where parents can share information on what is working for their children. KL Biomed's belief is that relying on the collective knowledge of a lot of parents is better than using just one source for treatment information.

Read original article: Empowering Parents


Regional Autism Recovery Center Opens in West Virginia

Nov 20, 2009

Dr. Janet Lintala, a DAN! doctor, has seen results in children with autism who utilize her Autism Recovery Resource Center in West Virginia. Dr. Lintala opened the biomedically focused clinic in 2008, and is now receiving children from all over the region. Therapies included at the clinic are: gluten-free and casein-free diets, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy,  antifungal therapy, detoxification therapies, and other therapies to strengthen the immune system. In addition, there are lab facilities to test stool, urine, hair and blood. Dr. Lintala suggests that no one therapy is the answer for a child with autism, and says, "We encourage parents to explore options that will help their child, such as speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, applied behavioral analysis, behavioral therapy and others." Dr. Lintala's goal is a "multi-specialty, state-of-the art regional center where families can find everything from a diagnosis to educational materials; . . . where a cure is offered."

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Oxygen Therapy as Potential Treatment for Autism

Feb 19, 2008

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may have potential in the treatment of autism. Several doctors in FL (Tampa and Melbourne) have used HBOT to help children with autism increase language skills and social interaction, while decreasing self-stimming behaviors. These doctors believe that the pressurized oxygen chamber may increase blood flow to the brain.

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Offered by Dad of Child with Autism

Oct 1, 2007

Mark Merrell of Hamilton County, IN, searched as far as Florida for treatment and therapy for his daughter with autism. He discovered hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in FL as an alternative therapy. Back in Indiana, he purchased a chamber for his home, and then started Oxsyspa, one of the few locations in the Midwest offering this therapy. HBOT may better help the body absorb oxygen "The idea of pressurized oxygen ... is the key, because it's putting more oxygen in the fluid - the plasma - in between the red blood cells," says David Dabro, MD, medical director at Oxsyspa.

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