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

In this research, we investigated any possible effect of receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) or risperidone on the core symptoms of autism in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

This study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial in Minia and Assiut University hospitals in Egypt with three parallel groups. One hundred and eighty children with autism, aged 5–8 years were divided into three equal groups (n=60). Group 1 (G1) received 40 sessions of HBOT within two months, group 2 (G2) received risperidone (dose: 0.25 mg per day in children weighing less than 20 kg and 0.5 mg per day in cases weighing more) for six months, and group 3 (G3) as the control group, received a placebo for six months. The assessment was done using childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) at the beginning of the study (baseline) and after one year.

The mean total CARS and ATEC scores 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 found in G1, G2, and G3, respectively.

Using HBOT or risperidone is effective in treating the core symptoms of autism in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, but using HBOT gives better results than risperidone therapy.