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Integrative Approaches to Caring for Children with Autism.

Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care
June 1, 2016
Nadav Klein et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of melatonin supplements for improving sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Results Summary

Melatonin was found to be effective in improving sleep in children with ASD, supported by two or more randomized controlled trials, and was categorized as a "recommended" therapy due to its safety and efficacy.

Population

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin supplements
increase
sleep
-
-
recommend
#1
supplements to correct deficiencies
decrease
deficiencies
-
-
recommend
#2
applied behavior analysis
neutral
-
-
-
recommend
#3
parent-implemented training
neutral
-
-
-
recommend
#4
music therapy
neutral
-
-
-
recommend
#5
medications
neutral
-
some children
-
may be helpful
#6
restrictive diets
neutral
-
some children
-
may be helpful
#7
chelation
neutral
-
-
-
should be avoided
#8
secretin
neutral
-
-
-
should be avoided
#9
hyperbaric oxygen
neutral
-
-
-
should be avoided
#10
Abstract

Parents commonly integrate complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with conventional care. The aims of this article are to (1) describe the most commonly used treatments, (2) assess their efficacy and safety, and (3) organize the information in practical format for practitioners. We organized treatment modalities into four categories: recommended, monitored, tolerated, and therapies that should be avoided. These four categories are based on a two by two table weighing a therapy׳s effectiveness and safety. To meet the threshold for "recommended," its effectiveness needed to be supported by two or more randomized, controlled trials. In addition to promoting an overall healthy lifestyle via nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, social support, and avoiding neurotoxins (healthy habits in a healthy habitat), the most promising therapies recommend are applied behavior analysis, parent-implemented training, melatonin supplements to improve sleep, supplements to correct deficiencies, and music therapy. Medications and restrictive diets may be helpful for some children, but use should be monitored given the risk of side effects. Most complementary therapies are safe, so they can be tolerated, but additional research is needed before they should be recommended. Given their risks, costs, and limited evidence of efficacy, chelation, secretin, and hyperbaric oxygen should be avoided.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Autism Spectrum DisorderChildComplementary TherapiesContraindicationsDietary SupplementsEvidence-Based MedicineHumansIntegrative MedicineLife Style
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy80/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations25
Citations/Year2.8
Relative Citation Ratio1.27
NIH Percentile59.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.82
Normalized Score0.81
Related Supplements
Integrative Approaches to Caring for Children with Autism. | Panacea Index