Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-17-2020
Abstract
Aim
To evaluate the efficacy of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) using a traditional and a technological intervention (elastic touch-display) in improving the coordination of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as a primary outcome, and the timing and strength control of their movements as secondary outcomes.
Methods
Twenty-two children with ASD completed 8 NMT sessions, as a part of a 2-month intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to either use an elastic touch-display (experimental group) or tambourines (control group). We conducted pre- and post- assessment evaluations, including the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) and motor assessments related to the control of strength and timing of movements.
Outcomes and results
All participants improved their coordination, according to the DCDQ scores, and exhibited better control of their movements according to the strength and timing assessments after the intervention. Participants who used the elastic touch-display scored higher on the DCDQ.
Conclusions and implications
NMT is an efficacious treatment to improve the coordination skills of children with ASD. Elastic touch-displays provide more benefits than the use of tambourines.
Recommended Citation
Cibrian FL, Madrigal M, Avelais M, Tentori M. Supporting coordination of children with ASD using neurological music therapy: A pilot randomized control trial comparing an elastic touch-display with tambourines. Res Dev Disabil. 2020;106:103741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103741
Copyright
Elsevier
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Biomedical Commons, Music Therapy Commons, Other Computer Engineering Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons, Pediatrics Commons
Comments
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Research in Developmental Disabilities. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Research in Developmental Disabilities, volume 106, in 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103741
The Creative Commons license below applies only to this version of the article.