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Study · Not a test of the peptide alone · 2020

1 result

Pharmacotherapy of restricted/repetitive behavior in autism spectrum disorder:a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yu Y, Chaulagain A, Pedersen SA, Lydersen S, Leventhal BL, Szatmari P, Aleksic B, Ozaki N, Skokauskas N

BMC psychiatry12 Mar 2020Cited by 41 (Europe PMC)

PMID32164636 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC7068977 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1186/s12888-020-2477-9 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-32164636
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Summary

BackgroundThis paper is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of available medications for the treatment of restricted/repetitive behavior (RRBs) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).MethodWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDRS), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE)), Scopus, Epistimonikos, Clinicaltrials.gov, and included all randomized controlled trials published after 1993 that were directed at RRBs in patients with ASD of all ages. We extracted the relevant data from the published studies with a predefined data extraction form and assessed the risk of bias. The primary outcomes were change in restricted/repetitive behavior. We performed a meta-analysis using the random effect model and included studies with given mean and standard deviation. This study is registered with PROSPERO number CRD42018092660).ResultsWe identified 14 randomized controlled trials that met initial inclusion criteria. After closer inspection, nine trials - involving 552 patients in total - were included in the final analysis. The meta-analysis found no significant difference between medications (including fluvoxamine, risperidone, fluoxetine, citalopram, oxytocin, N-Acetylcysteine, buspirone) and placebo in the treatment of RRBs in ASD (P = 0.20). Similarly, the sub-group meta-analysis also showed no significant difference between Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRIs) and placebo in the treatment of RRBs in ASD (P = 0.68). There was no evidence of publication bias.ConclusionThis meta-analysis finds little support for the routine use of medications to treat restricted/repetitive behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Further research of large, balanced trials with precise assessment tools and long-term follow-up are needed.Trial registrationThe study protocol is registered in PROSPERO (Reference number: CRD42018092660).
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study1

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Oxytocin.

  1. 01HumanNot a test of Oxytocin aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with autism, pooled medications (including oxytocin) did not differ significantly from placebo in treating restricted/repetitive behaviors.

    In plain wordsIn people with autism, a pooled group of seven drugs, oxytocin among them, did not reduce repetitive behaviors more than placebo.

    Peptide
    Oxytocin
    Outcome
    No significant changeRestricted/repetitive behavior in autism, pooled medications versus placebo
    Study

    n = 552

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Analysis
    Primary
    Outcome group
    Autism core symptoms · Mental health and mood

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The meta-analysis found no significant difference between medications (including fluvoxamine, risperidone, fluoxetine, citalopram, oxytocin, N-Acetylcysteine, buspirone) and placebo in the treatment of RRBs in ASD (P = 0.20).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    After closer inspection, nine trials - involving 552 patients in total - were included in the final analysis.

    In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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