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Autism Research Outline
Background of investigation:
Although, autism has been closely investigated over the last decade it still remains a disorder with no clear cause and no current effective treatment. There have been many hypotheses regarding the causes of autism, but recent theories focus on the possibility of autism being due to imbalances in gut function. A recent study suggests an association between the onset of gut symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and bloating and in some cases food intolerance with developmental regression.
Our research group decided to use visceral osteopathic techniques (abdominal massage: see Footnote) to help the gut function of children who have been diagnosed autistic.
It is believed that manual stimulation of the gut may help to decrease inflammatory processes and as a consequence facilitate a decrease in the constipation, diarrhoea and bloating often suffered by autistic children. It may also help with amelioration of abnormal behavioural symptoms characteristic of autism.
Aims of investigation:
The aim of this investigation is to apply a soft tissue technique (massage) to the abdomen to attempt to decrease bowel irritation.
Methods/Design of investigation:
The proposal is to analyse the autistic children’s bowel function and behaviour before and after the application of soft tissue techniques on the abdominal area (tummy area). The subjects age will range between 3 to 8 years old. The evaluation of the study will be performed via 3 questionnaires given to the parents who will be able to observe the child’s response to the massage techniques e.g. differences in bowel movement frequency. These questionnaires will be given to parents before initiation of the technique, once during the treatment phase and after the last treatment session. Also the children will be assessed by analysing their stool. Parents will be asked to collect samples of stool before initiation of the treatment, during treatment and after the last treatment session. Parents will be provided with a Stool Collection Kit in which samples may be sent to the Kings College Hospital in a provided stamped address envelop.. More details on how to collect the material will be provided in the Stool Collection Kit. The purpose of stool analysis is to measure children’s bowel inflammation, via biochemical markers, before and after osteopathic treatment.
Initially the children will be allocated to either group ‘A’ or ‘B’. Group ‘A’ will be the first control group, therefore children who form this group will not be treated, but parents will never-the-less be asked to collect stool samples for analysis and to answer 3 questionnaires. Group ‘B’ will be the first treatment group, children who form this group will have 6 treatment sessions and parents will be asked to send stool samples for analysis and to answer 3 questionnaires. After the initial six weeks the groups will be swapped over, therefore group ‘A’ will become the treatment group and group ‘B’ will become the control group and the same process described above will be repeated.
The treatment sessions will consist of 6 treatments, each lasting for 30 minutes, depending on the child’s co-operation. In the event of a child being unable to cooperate or showing signs of distress, a view will be taken by the parent/guardian and researcher regarding the merits of continuation with the child. The children will be assessed at their own school. A parent or a guardian must be present during application of the technique which will help the child to be more relaxed, and enable a better interaction with the researcher.
For more information see the website contact Iona Bramati Castellarin on 07950119715 or email: research@nottinghillosteocare.co.uk
Duration of investigation:
Duration: 6 weeks treatment phase
6 weeks non treatment (control) phase
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