What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a review of literature published between 2015 and 2021 to assess the therapeutic value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
What They Found
The review of 10 literature reviews found no clear evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, two out of four intervention studies did not recommend HBOT for children with ASD, with the remaining two studies having methodological limitations that made their findings less relevant.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families should be aware that current evidence does not support hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an effective treatment. Families considering HBOT for ASD should discuss these findings with their healthcare providers and focus on evidence-based therapies.
Canadian Relevance
This review does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this review is its reliance on the existing body of literature, which largely lacked high-quality studies demonstrating the effectiveness of HBOT for ASD.