Cited by 116Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchComplementary and Alternative Medicine StudiesChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Brondino, Natascia, Fusar-Poli, Laura, Rocchetti, Matteo, Provenzani, Umberto, Barale, Francesco, Politi, Pierluigi·2015·Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Abstract

Background. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) represents a popular therapeutic option for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of CAM in ASD. The aim of the present systematic review is to investigate trials of CAM in ASD. Material and Methods. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Agricola, and Food Science Source. Results. Our literature search identified 2687 clinical publications. After the title/abstract screening, 139 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation 67 studies were included, from hand search of references we retrieved 13 additional studies for a total of 80. Conclusion. There is no conclusive evidence supporting the efficacy of CAM therapies in ASD. Promising results are reported for music therapy, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, and massage.

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  1. [54]Farmer K. J. The effect of music vs. nonmusic paired with gestures on spontaneous verbal and nonverbal communication skills of children with autism ages 1–5 [M.S. thesis] 2003 Tallahassee, Fla, USA Florida State University
  2. [59]Thomas A. Hunter B. C. The effect of music therapy on communication skills of children ages 2-3 with autism: a pilot study Proceedings of the American Music Therapy Association Conference 2003 Minneapolis, Minn, USA
  3. [70]Veale T. Effectiveness of AIT using the BCG device (Clark method): a controlled study Proceedings of the World of Options International Autism Conference 1993 Toronto, Canada
  4. [91]Aguilar A. Grostic J. Pfleger B. Chiropractic care and behavior in autistic children Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics 2000 5 1 293 304
  5. [92]Khorshid K. A. Sweat R. W. Zemba D. A. Zemba B. N. Clinical efficacy of upper cervical versus full spine chiropractic care on children with autism: a randomized clinical trial Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 2006 1 7

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Authors
Brondino, N., Fusar-Poli, L., Rocchetti, M., Provenzani, U., Barale, F., & Politi, P.
Affiliations
  • University of Pavia (IT)
  • Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pavia, Via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Corresponding author
Brondino, Natascia
Venue
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015
Volume
2015
Pages
1-31
ISSN
  • 1741-427X (ISSN-L)
  • 1741-4288
OpenAlex
W1518643840
Cited by
116
References
142
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 1
FWCI
0.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, complementary and alternative medicine, music therapy, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, massage, clinical trials

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