Introduction
Alternative therapies encompass a broad range of theories and therapeutic practices, defined as treatments not routinely taught in medical schools. These therapies have attracted growing interest among families of individuals with Down syndrome, making it essential to examine them objectively and scientifically.
Types of Available Alternative Therapies
A wide range of traditional and alternative treatments for Down syndrome have been in circulation for many years, most notably:
- Pituitary extract
- Glutamic acid
- Thyroid hormone
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Dry cell therapy
- Growth hormone
The dangers of certain traditional therapies, particularly dry cell therapy, have been well documented. The orthomolecular approach — using various combinations of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids — has also been revisited in recent years. It is worth noting that alternative therapies for Down syndrome tend to gain widespread popularity for a period, only to fade from use over time.
Claims Made About These Therapies
Many alternative therapies, particularly those described as "holistic", aim to treat the body as a whole rather than targeting a specific disease or symptom. Most proponents of these therapies do not make claims that differ significantly from those made for the general population when addressing individuals with Down syndrome.
However, certain therapies have specifically claimed the ability to improve motor and cognitive function, as well as overall growth and activity levels, in individuals with Down syndrome. Some have gone further, asserting that they can alter certain physical characteristics associated with the syndrome to produce a more "typical" appearance, and that they can reduce or modify intellectual disability.
Have These Claims Been Scientifically Proven?
Despite the widespread use of these varied therapies over many years, the available research studies remain largely limited in scope. Observation and experimentation represent only the first step in the scientific research process. While anecdotal accounts of reported successes may be compelling and may generate popular interest in a particular treatment, rigorous scientific study remains the only reliable indicator of a therapy's safety and effectiveness.
Are Alternative Therapies Recommended?
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and other organisations dedicated to the care of individuals with Down syndrome — including the National Down Syndrome Congress, the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group, and the American College of Medical Genetics — can only recommend therapies that have undergone comprehensive scientific evaluation in individuals with Down syndrome. This includes large-scale, randomised, double-blind research studies that assess both the safety and efficacy of the treatment in question.
These organisations do not seek to dissuade parents from making decisions they believe are right for their children. However, they hold that the benefits, risks, and side effects of any therapy must be clearly established before it can be recommended in good conscience. Recognising that rigorous research requires both time and funding, the NDSS has encouraged the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to prioritise this area of research. In response, the National Institutes of Health established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, with the dual mandate of providing the public with reliable information on alternative therapies and undertaking their careful, systematic evaluation.
Source: Information in this article has been reproduced under an exclusive agreement with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Available at: www.ndss.org
