The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on Short Term Memory in Autism Case Study :Abhakornkiartiwong Hospital

Abstract

Objective :

The objective of this research was to study the effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on short term memory and the development of autistic children.

Methods :

This is a quasi experimental study conducted in autistic children, aged between 2 and 15 without, mental retardation. Participants were 9 patients, who were all treated by HBOT, one-hour, 5 times a week, 40 times per treatment. There is single experimental group with time series design which were tested before and after treatment 1, 10, 20, 30 and 40. Repeated measure ANOVAs were used to compare the difference between the mean score of short term memory measured by the Bead Memory. The children’s development was measured using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist.

Results :

The results revealed that mean score of short term memory in autistic significantly increased after having HBOT (p < 0.001). Regarding t-test paired examination of having treatment at 20th, 30th, and 40th times, it significantly increased the mean score of short term memory in the autistic (p<.05). The mean score of autistic development deviation significantly decreased after having HBOT treatment (p<0.001). Regarding the t-test paired examination of having treatment at 30 and 40, the mean score of autistic development significantly decreased (p<.05).

Conclusion :

Hence HBOT benefits to autistic children’s, short-term memory after 20, 30 and 40 sessions. Also, HBOT is good for the 4 elements of autistic development after 30 and 40 sessions.