Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Summary of the literature-other interventions. The RCT of amantadine, 251 conducted at six
academic clinics in the US and UK and including 39 children, showed no effect of daily
amantadine over four weeks on parent-rated ABC-C behavior scores and clinician-rated CGI
rating of overall improvement (Table 22). However, children in the amantadine arm improved
significantly more than those receiving placebo in clinician-rated ABC-C subscales for
hyperactivity and inappropriate speech. There were no differences in harms, and no serious
complications.
Table 22. Outcomes of RCTs of other medical interventions for the treatment of ASDs
Author, year,
country
Groups, N
enrollment/N final
Study quality
Akhondzadeh et al. 253
2010, Iran
G1:
risperidone+pentoxifylline,
20/20
G2:
risperidone+placebo,
20/20
Quality: Fair
Handen et al. 64
2009, US
G1a: IGOH, 32/27
G1b: IGOH, 31/23
G1c: IGOH, 31/24
G2: placebo, 31/26
Quality: Good
Rossignol et al. 254
2009, US
G1: hyperbaric oxygen,
33/30
G2: pressurized room
air, 29/26
Quality: Good
Chez et al. 257
2003, US
G1: DH, 23/17
G2: placebo, 20/17
Quality: Fair
Mean age,
years ± SD
G1: 8.05 ±
2.01
G2: 7.37 ±
2.41
G1a: 7.4 ± 3.1
G1b: 8 ± 4.1
G1c: 7.6 ± 3.5
G1d: 6.2 ± 3.3
G1: 4.97 ± 1.29
G2: 4.86 ± 1.13
G1: 6.8
G2: 6.9
Mean IQ ±
SD
75
Key outcomes
NR • Significant improvements on the
lethargy/social withdrawal, stereotypic
behavior, hyperactivity/noncompliance, and
inappropriate speech ABC-C subscales for the
risperidone+pentoxifylline group (P ≤ 0.0001).
• Scores on the Extrapyramidal Symptoms.
Rating Scale and frequency of side effects did
not differ between groups.
• Harms in either group included gastrointestinal
symptoms, restlessness, drowsiness, weight
gain/increased appetite, and fatigue.
NR • No significant difference between groups in the
primary endpoint, overall clinical response to
treatment based on MGIS (140 mg/day, p=0.39;
420 mg/day, p=0.19; 840 mg/day, p=0.44).
• No significant benefit of all active treatments
combined compared with placebo (p=0.22).
NR • Significant improvements on ABC total score
(p=0.0118); in the treatment group only, indicating
improvements in challenging behaviors.
• Significant improvements on the ATEC
sensory/cognitive awareness subscale in the
treatment group compared with the control group.
NR • Speech and language (EOWPVT & ROWPVT)
improved in the treatment group relative to baseline
scores but not when compared with the placebo
group.