Effect of High Antioxidant Cacao Consumption on Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

<p>BACKGROUND- Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate a physiological imbalance between free radicals, resulting from oxidative stress, and antioxidants. Oxidative stress is linked to the pathogenesis of this neurocognitive disorder. The objectives of this pilot feasibility study: 1) to examine the effect of consumption of high concentration antioxidant cacao on behavior of children as perceived by the child’s teacher and 2) as perceived by the child’s parent. METHODS- This clinical trial was a prospective experimental study. Participants consumed 8 squares (or 16 grams) per day of the dark chocolate which had a concentration of 70% cacao and 30% organic cane sugar (total antioxidant concentration was 8,320 μmoles / 100 grams. The two main behavioral measures were the Aberrant Behavior Checklist- 2nd Edition (ABC-2) and the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS) which were completed by the child’s teacher at baseline and end of week four; and by the child’s parent at baseline, week two, and week four. RESULTS- Twelve teachers and children with ASD (9 males, 3 females, mean age of 10.9 ±3.9 years) participated in this study. Teachers noted significant improvements on the Autism Spectrum Rating Scales of Social/Communication (p=0.03, </p> <p>η2=0.79), Unusual Behaviors (p=0.02, η2=0.70), and Self-Regulation (p=0.04, η2=0.59). No significant changes were noted on any of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-2 subscales (p>.05). For the second study, sixteen parents and children with ASD participated in the study (12 males, 4 females, aged 4 to 17 years). Parent reports showed significant improvements on the ABC-2 subscales of Irritability (p= .03, η2 = 0.25), Social Withdrawal (p=.01, η2 = 0.29), Stereotypic Behavior (p=.05, η2 = 0.13), Hyperactivity/Noncompliance (p=.04, η2 = 0.20), and Inappropriate Speech (p=.05, η2 = 0.16). Significant improvements were noted on the ASRS scales of Social/Communication (p=.04, η2 = 0.25), Unusual Behaviors (p=.003, η2 = 0.20), Self-Regulation (p=0.02, η2=0.32), and Total Scores (p<.001, η2=0.54). CONCLUSION- Results from this study support the therapeutic benefit of antioxidants in improving social communication, unusual behaviors, and self-regulation behaviors of children with ASD. Further robust randomized controlled trials are necessary to elaborate the validity of these finding.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Rehabilitation Sciences

Year

2018

Author dc:creator

• Sadek, Amy

Contributors dc:contributor

• Berk, Lee S.
• Daher, Noha S.
• Mainess, Karen
• Randall, Kiti Freier

• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Rehabilitation and Therapy
• Antioxidants -- Physiology; Cacao -- Physiology; Child; Autistic Disorder; Autism in Children
• Autism Spectrum Disorder; Free Radicals; Oxidative Stress; Neurocognitive Disorder

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/522

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1507