ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction and by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Some studies have shown that substances derived from Cannabis sativa improve the quality of life of children with ASD without causing serious adverse effects, thus providing an alternative therapeutic option. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cannabis extract rich in cannabidiol (CBD) in children with ASD. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 children, aged from 5 to 11 years, were selected and divided into two groups: the treatment group, which received the CBD-rich cannabis extract, and the control group, which received the placebo. They both used their respective products for a period of 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was done by two-factor mixed analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA). Results Significant results were found for social interaction (F1,116 = 14.13, p = 0.0002), anxiety (F1,116 = 5.99, p = 0.016), psychomotor agitation (F1,116 = 9.22, p = 0.003), number of meals a day (F1,116 = 4.11, p = 0.04), and concentration (F1,48 = 6.75, p = 0.01), the last of which was only significant in mild ASD cases. Regarding safety, it was found that only three children in the treatment group (9.7%) had adverse effects, namely dizziness, insomnia, colic, and weight gain. Conclusion CBD-rich cannabis extract was found to improve one of the diagnostic criteria for ASD (social interaction), as well as features that often co-exist with ASD, and to have few serious adverse effects.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, associated with the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Cannabis has been used to alleviate symptoms associated with ASD. Method We carried out a systematic review of studies that investigated the clinical effects of cannabis and cannabinoid use on ASD, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA checklist). The search was carried out in four databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, and Web of Science. No limits were established for language during the selection process. Nine studies were selected and analyzed. Results Some studies showed that cannabis products reduced the number and/or intensity of different symptoms, including hyperactivity, attacks of self-mutilation and anger, sleep problems, anxiety, restlessness, psychomotor agitation, irritability, aggressiveness perseverance, and depression. Moreover, they found an improvement in cognition, sensory sensitivity, attention, social interaction, and language. The most common adverse effects were sleep disorders, restlessness, nervousness and change in appetite. Conclusion Cannabis and cannabinoids may have promising effects in the treatment of symptoms related to ASD, and can be used as a therapeutic alternative in the relief of those symptoms. However, randomized, blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are necessary to clarify findings on the effects of cannabis and its cannabinoids in individuals with ASD. Systematic review registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), code 164161.
ABSTRACT
A personalidade com insensibilidade e afetividade restrita (Callous-Unemotional personality) é bem investigada nos agressores de bullying, porém pouco se sabe sobre essa característica nas vítimas. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a personalidade de insensibilidade e afetividade restrita em crianças que vivenciaram situações de bullying. Participaram da pesquisa 60 crianças do 6.º ano escolar divididas em grupos de agressores (n=15), vítimas (n=15), vítimas-agressores (n=15), e grupo controle (n=15). Foram aplicadas escalas de personalidade e de comportamento. Os resultados apontaram que as vítimas demonstraram um nível mais baixo de personalidade com insensibilidade e afetividade restrita se comparado aos outros grupos, apresentando também maior nível de comportamento pró-social. Torna-se, então, necessário investigar se níveis mais baixos deste traço de personalidade estão associados a maior passividade nas vítimas e, consequentemente, a uma maior probabilidade de serem alvo de bullying.
The Callous-Unemotional personality it is well examined among bullying aggressors, however little is known regarding this characteristic in victims. The present study aimed to investigate the insensibility and coldness in children living under bullying circumstances. Sixty children of the 6° school grade took part in the study, divided in groups of aggressors (n=15), victims (n=15), bully-victims (n=15), and a control group (n=15). Personality and behavior assessment scales were applied. Results revealed that victims showed a lower level of Callous-Unemotional personality compared to other groups, and also presented a higher level of pro-social behavior. It turns necessary to investigate if lower levels of those personality traits are associated to a higher passivity in victims and, consequently, to a greater probability of being target of bullying.
La personalidad con insensibilidad y afectividad restringida (Callous-Unemotional Personality) está bien investigada en agresores de bullying, pero poco se sabe sobre este rasgo en las víctimas. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la personalidad de insensibilidad y afectividad restringida en niños que experimentaron situaciones de bullying. Participaran de la investigación 60 niños del 6º año escolar divididos en grupos de agresores (n = 15), víctimas (n = 15), víctimas-agresores (n = 15) y grupo controle (n = 15). Se aplicaron escalas de personalidad y conducta. Los resultados mostraron que las víctimas mostraron un menor nivel de personalidad con insensibilidad y afectividad restringida en comparación con los otros grupos, además de presentar un mayor nivel de conducta prosocial. Entonces se hace necesario investigar si los niveles más bajos de este rasgo de personalidad están asociados con una mayor pasividad en las víctimas y, en consecuencia, a una mayor probabilidad de ser acosado.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Personality Assessment , Child Behavior/psychology , Bullying , Emotions , EmpathyABSTRACT
A competência emocional é extremamente importante no processo de interação entre os pares na idade escolar. A forma como as emoções se apresentam em crianças vítimas e agressoras de bullying ainda é pouco estudada, mas serviria de base para elaboração de programas de prevenção. A partir de uma revisão sistemática nas principais bases de dados, os autores abordam aspectos atuais da relação entre bullying e emoções, conceituando as variáveis, comentando sobre a colaboração da neurociência e apresentando dados de pesquisas da literatura recente sobre o tema.