Elizabeth Peadon|Biarta Rhys-Jones|Carol Bower|Elizabeth J Elliott
Systematic review of interventions for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
University of Sydney|University of Sydney|Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia
children fetal alcohol spectrum disorders fasd may significant neurobehavioural problems persisting adulthood early diagnosis may decrease risk adverse life outcomes however little known effective interventions children fasd aim conduct systematic review literature identify evaluate evidence pharmacological nonpharmacological interventions children fasd electronic search cochrane library medline embase psychinfo cinahl eric clinical studies randomized controlled trials rct quasi rct controlled trials pre postintervention studies evaluated pharmacological behavioural speech therapy occupational therapy physiotherapy psychosocial educational interventions early intervention programs participants aged 18 years diagnosis fasd selection studies inclusion assessment study quality undertaken independently two reviewers metaanalysis possible due diversity interventions outcome measures twelve studies met inclusion criteria methodological weaknesses common including small sample sizes inadequate study design short term follow pharmacological interventions evaluated two studies rct showed benefit stimulant medications educational learning strategies three rct evaluated seven studies evidence suggest virtual reality training cognitive control therapy language literacy therapy mathematics intervention rehearsal training memory may beneficial strategies three studies evaluating social communication behavioural strategies two rct suggested social skills training may improve social skills behaviour home attention process training may improve attention limited good quality evidence specific interventions managing fasd however seven randomized controlled trials address specific functional deficits children fasd underway recently completed