Occupational Therapy’s efficacy in children with Asperger’s syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
V. 170 N. 5 (2019), Systematic review
V. 170 N. 5 (2019)

Occupational Therapy’s efficacy in children with Asperger’s syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials: doi: 10.7417/CT.2019.2164

Systematic review
Pubblicato 2019-09-10
G. Romagnoli
Occupational Therapist, Sapienza University of Rome
A. Leone
Occupational Therapist, Sapienza University of Rome
G. Romagnoli
Aston Brain Centre, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
J. Sansoni
Department of Public Health and Infection Disease, Sapienza University of Rome
M. Tofani
Sapienza University of Rome
R. De Santis
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome
D. Valente
Department of Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Italy
G. Galeoto
Department of Public Health and Infection Disease, Sapienza University of Rome
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Parole chiave

Reahbilitation
Occupational therapy
Asperger’s syndrome
Autism

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.

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