Social outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder: a review of music therapy outcomes

LaGasse, A. Blythe

doi:10.2147/prom.s106267

Cited by 86 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of music interventions for ASD have reported positive effects of music on emotional engagement, social interaction, communication and parent–child relationships 11 , 12 , suggesting that musical activities in a therapeutic context can promote measurable behavioural changes in children with ASD. Strengths in music processing have been noted since the first description of ASD 13 and many studies have reported intact or enhanced musical skills such as absolute pitch, enhanced melodic memory and contour-processing in children with ASD 14 – 16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Music improves social communication and auditory–motor connectivity in children with autism

et al. 2018

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Music has been identified as a strength in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder; however, there is currently no neuroscientific evidence supporting its benefits. Given its universal appeal, intrinsic reward value and ability to modify brain and behaviour, music may be a potential therapeutic aid in autism. Here we evaluated the neurobehavioural outcomes of a music intervention, compared to a non-music control intervention, on social communication and brain connectivity in school-age children (ISRCTN26821793). Fifty-one children aged 6–12 years with autism were randomized to receive 8–12 weeks of music (n = 26) or non-music intervention (n = 25). The music intervention involved use of improvisational approaches through song and rhythm to target social communication. The non-music control was a structurally matched behavioural intervention implemented in a non-musical context. Groups were assessed before and after intervention on social communication and resting-state functional connectivity of fronto-temporal brain networks. Communication scores were higher in the music group post-intervention (difference score = 4.84, P = .01). Associated post-intervention resting-state brain functional connectivity was greater in music vs. non-music groups between auditory and subcortical regions (z = 3.94, P < .0001) and auditory and fronto-motor regions (z = 3.16, P < .0001). Post-intervention brain connectivity was lower between auditory and visual regions in the music compared to the non-music groups, known to be over-connected in autism (z = 4.01, P < .00001). Post-intervention brain connectivity in the music group was related to communication improvement (z = 3.57, P < .0001). This study provides the first evidence that 8–12 weeks of individual music intervention can indeed improve social communication and functional brain connectivity, lending support to further investigations of neurobiologically motivated models of music interventions in autism.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Music improves social communication and auditory–motor connectivity in children with autism

et al. 2018

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“…Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of music interventions for ASD have reported positive effects of music on emotional engagement, social interaction, communication and parent-child relationships (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), suggesting that music therapy can promote measurable behavioural changes in children with ASD. Strengths in music processing have been noted since the first description of ASD (23) and many studies have reported intact or enhanced musical skills such as absolute pitch, enhanced melodic memory and contour-processing in children with ASD (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Music improves social communication and brain connectivity outcomes in children with autism: A randomized controlled trial

Sharda¹,

Tuerk²,

Chowdhury³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Music has been identified as a strength in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, however, there is currently no neuroscientific evidence supporting its benefits. Given its universal appeal, intrinsic reward value and ability to modify brain and behaviour, music may be a potential therapeutic aid in autism. Here, we evaluated the neurobehavioral outcomes of a music intervention, compared to a non-music control intervention, on social communication and brain connectivity in school-age children (ISRCTN26821793). Fifty-one 6-12 year olds with autism were randomized to receive 8-12 weeks of music (n=26) or non-music intervention (n=25). The music intervention involved use of improvisational approaches through song and rhythm to target social communication. The non-music control was a structurally-matched behavioural intervention implemented in a non-musical context. Groups were assessed before and after intervention on social communication and resting-state functional connectivity of fronto-temporal brain networks. Communication scores were higher in the music group post-intervention (difference score=4.84, P=.01). Associated post-intervention resting-state brain functional connectivity was greater in music versus non-music groups between auditory and subcortical regions (z=3.94, P<.0001) and auditory and fronto-motor regions (z=3.16, P<.0001). Post-intervention brain connectivity was lower between auditory and visual regions in music compared to non-music groups, known to be over-connected in autism (z=4.01, P<.00001). Post-intervention brain connectivity in the music group was related to communication improvement (z=3.57, P<.0001). This study provides the first evidence that 8-12 weeks of individual music intervention can indeed improve social communication and functional brain connectivity, lending support to further investigations of neurobiologically-motivated models of music interventions in autism.

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“…In fact, music has been found to be a stimulant for the human capacity in the brain [56] . Engaging in musical stimuli for therapeutic purposes could provoke a foundation for practising social skills such as social interaction, and JA [57] . Similarly music has a strong connection with ToM [58] , and it might also impact JA [59] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of cognitive, developmental, and behavioural interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder in preschool-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Maw

Haga

2018

Heliyon

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BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by significant impairment in social communication and the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviour or interest. Intervention during early childhood could decrease ASD symptoms. We aimed to identify the most effective intervention based on cognitive, developmental, and behavioural approaches and the factors that impact the effectiveness of the intervention.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing interventions for ASD in preschool-aged children. Electronic databases were searched for related articles with randomised controlled trial (RCT) designs published between 2001 to 2015. Outcome measures were communication, behavioural and cognitive skills, reported as standardised mean differences (SMD) compared to a control group. A Random-effects model was utilised to calculate the pooled estimate effect. Between-study variability was also assessed. The registering number of this study is CRD42017035354.FindingsOut of the initial 5174 studies that were identified, there were 14 RCTs (746 children) that were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled estimate effect provided by random-effects model was 0.23 (95% confidence interval, CI [0.08–0.37]) with no between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 0.00%, p = 0.0018). Three studies of music therapy interventions provided the greatest outcome effects with a shorter duration and lower intensity. SMD for music therapies ranged from 0.40 to 0.62 with 95% CI [0.22 to 1.85]. The quality of the health care provider, the duration, and the intensity of intervention played an important role in the effectiveness of the intervention.InterpretationMusic therapy appears to be an effective tool for improving social interaction in preschool-aged children with ASD. However, more evidence-based trials are required to further validate the effectiveness of music therapy in ASD.

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Social outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder: a review of music therapy outcomes

Cited by 86 publications

References 55 publications

Music improves social communication and auditory–motor connectivity in children with autism

Music improves social communication and auditory–motor connectivity in children with autism

Music improves social communication and brain connectivity outcomes in children with autism: A randomized controlled trial

Effectiveness of cognitive, developmental, and behavioural interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder in preschool-aged children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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