REAC Noninvasive Neurobiological Stimulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder for Alleviating Stress Impact

Abstract

Objectives Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms can become more evident because of different factors. Among these, depression, anxiety, and stress play an important role. Additionally, several studies have revealed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participants with ASD. In previous studies, two noninvasive neurobiological stimulation treatments with radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, called neuropostural optimization (NPO) and neuropsychophysical optimization (NPPO), were shown to be effective in improving the subjective response to environmental stressors in the general population and in ASD population. Based on the proven efficacy of REAC NPO and NPPOs treatments in alleviating anxiety, stress, and depression, the purpose of this study is to verify how these treatments can reduce the severity of ASD symptoms expression, which is aggravated by depression, anxiety, and stress. The treatments’ effects were perceived by caregivers and assessed by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Methods This study involved 46 children with a previous diagnosis of ASD made using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. The participants received one session of NPO treatment and one NPPOs treatment cycle of 18 sessions, administered within approximately 3 weeks. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of the REAC treatments. ATEC allows to evaluate four clusters (speech or language communication; sociability; sensory or cognitive awareness; and health/physical/behavior) through a numerical scale that measures increasing levels of ASD severity. Results The comparison between the scores of the ATEC administered pre- and post-REAC treatments highlighted an improvement of ASD symptoms in each of the four clusters of ATEC. Conclusions The results confirm the usefulness of REAC treatments to optimize the individual response to environmental stressors and reduce the symptomatic expression and deficits present in ASD.

Improving Functional Abilities in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Non-Invasive REAC Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization Treatments: A PEDI-CAT Study

“…REAC NPO and NPPO treatments are non-invasive and painless neuromodulation treatments that optimize EBA levels in neurotransmission processes and have shown promising results in improving the symptoms of ASD [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The complex interactions between genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors in the pathogenesis of ASD are believed to be linked to alterations in EBA [ 41 , 50 , 51 ]. The use of REAC NPO and NPPO treatments, which aim to optimize EBA in neurotransmission processes, has shown promising results in improving functional abilities in children and adolescents with ASD [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The REAC Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization (NPPO) treatments are neurobiological modulation treatments designed to optimize EBA to enhance neuro-psycho-physical performance, resulting in improved mood, behavior, cognitive and emotional control, physical performance, and overall well-being [ 20 , 21 , 30 , 31 ]. This approach has also been applied to individuals with ASD [ 16 , 17 , 29 ].…”

“…Among the various interventions available, non-invasive neuromodulation techniques are gaining attention due to their potential for improving the neurobiological processes underlying the disorder. Radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has been proposed as a potential intervention for ASD [ 16 , 17 ]. REAC technology treatment is a non-invasive, safe, and effective method of neurobiological modulation that uses radioelectric asymmetric conveyer fields to modulate nervous system functionality.…”

“…NPO aims to optimize the posture balance and motor control of the individual [ 18 , 19 ], while NPPO aims to improve mood and behavioral, cognitive, and emotional processing [ 20 , 21 ]. Both techniques are non-invasive and painless and have shown promising results in improving the symptoms of ASD [ 16 , 17 ]. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study that analyzed the effects of NPO and NPPO treatments on children and adolescents with ASD using the PEDI-CAT [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”