New Delhi: There is no strong evidence to support the use of complementary and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and music therapy for autism, finds a study on Thursday.
A large international study has raised concerns about the effectiveness and safety of complementary and alternative treatments commonly used for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research was conducted by teams from Paris Nanterre University, Paris Cité University in France, and the University of Southampton in the UK, and published in Nature Human Behaviour.
The researchers reviewed 248 meta-analyses, which included more than 200 clinical trials and data from over 10,000 participants. Their goal was to assess the efficacy and safety of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicines (CAIMs) used for autism.
Among the 19 types of treatments analyzed were acupuncture, herbal medicine, music therapy, animal-assisted interventions, probiotics, and Vitamin D supplements.
The findings show that while many families and autistic individuals turn to these therapies in search of relief without the side effects of conventional treatments, the actual scientific support for their effectiveness is weak. Most of the available evidence was rated as low quality, making the reported benefits unreliable.
Professor Richard Delorme, Head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at Robert Debré Hospital in Paris, highlighted that families often explore such options out of hope. “Many parents of autistic children, as well as autistic adults, turn to complementary and alternative medicines hoping they may help without unwanted side effects.
However, it is necessary to carefully consider evidence from rigorous randomised trials before concluding that these treatments should be tried,” he cautioned.
One of the most concerning aspects of the review was the lack of safety evaluation. Less than half of the therapies studied included assessments of side effects, tolerability, or adverse reactions, raising questions about the risks associated with their use.
To improve transparency and accessibility, the research team has also developed an online platform where the evidence gathered on different CAIMs can be accessed by patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Autism is a complex condition, often marked by challenges in communication, sensory processing, social interaction, and repetitive behaviours, which can significantly impact quality of life. Previous surveys suggest that up to 90 percent of autistic individuals have tried at least one complementary or alternative therapy in their lifetime.
The study underscores the urgent need for more rigorous, well-designed clinical trials to provide clearer evidence on the potential benefits and risks of these treatments before they are widely recommended for autism care.