Occupational Therapy's efficacy in children with Asperger's syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

G Romagnoli; A Leone; G Romagnoli; J Sansoni; M Tofani; R De Santis; D Valente; G Galeoto

doi:10.7417/CT.2019.2164

Occupational Therapy's efficacy in children with Asperger's syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Clin Ter. 2019 Sep-Oct;170(5):e382-e387. doi: 10.7417/CT.2019.2164.

Authors

G Romagnoli¹, A Leone¹, G Romagnoli², J Sansoni³, M Tofani⁴, R De Santis⁵, D Valente⁶, G Galeoto³

Affiliations

¹ Occupational Therapist, Sapienza University of Rome.
² Aston Brain Centre, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Public Health and Infection Disease, Sapienza University of Rome.
⁴ Sapienza University of Rome.
⁵ Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome.
⁶ Department of Neuroscience, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.

PMID: 31612197
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2019.2164

Abstract

This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims at evaluating the efficacy of Occupational therapy (OT) interventions in Asperger's syndrome (AS) pediatric patients. We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. The screening of the literature was carried out on PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and OT SEEKER databases, TO December 2018. We selected three RCTs having the common objective to evaluate whether children with AS can improve their social skills thanks to OT treatments. The interventions targeted by the three selected studies were: LEGO therapy, Social Use of Language Programme, Let's Face It! software and Parent Training combined with the administration of risperidone. All the studies showed that the intervention groups improved their overall social ability.This review shows that OT interventions can help concretely AS children in overcoming their social issues. Nevertheless, more RCTs are needed to better understand the OT's benefits and limitations in AS patients.

Keywords: Asperger’s syndrome; Autism; Occupational therapy; Reahbilitation.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Asperger Syndrome / psychology
Asperger Syndrome / therapy*
Child
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Data Management
Humans
Occupational Therapy / methods*
Occupational Therapy / psychology
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Severity of Illness Index*
Treatment Outcome