Abstract
This study systematically examined the efficacy and safety of psychopharmacological and non-psychopharmacological treatments for anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Four psychopharmacological, nine cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and two alternative treatment studies met inclusion criteria. Psychopharmacological studies were descriptive or open label, sometimes did not specify the anxiety phenotype, and reported behavioral activation. Citalopram and buspirone yielded some improvement, whereas fluvoxamine did not. Non-psychopharmacological studies were mainly randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with CBT demonstrating moderate efficacy for anxiety disorders in youth with high functioning ASD. Deep pressure and neurofeedback provided some benefit. All studies were short-term and included small sample sizes. Large scale and long term RCTs examining psychopharmacological and non-psychopharmacological treatments are sorely needed.
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Acknowledgments
This research activity was supported by cooperative agreement UA3 MC 11054 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program, to the Massachusetts General Hospital. The work was conducted through the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network serving as the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Autism Speaks, Inc.
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Vasa, R.A., Carroll, L.M., Nozzolillo, A.A. et al. A Systematic Review of Treatments for Anxiety in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 3215–3229 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2184-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2184-9