Efficacy of Music-centered Improvisational Music Therapy on the treatment of preschool children on the Autism Spectrum: a controlled study

Abstract

Music is related as a treatment for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), although controlled studies with specific Music Therapy approaches are scanty. Aiming to investigate the effects of Music-centered Improvisational Music Therapy on the treatment of preschool children with ASD, 45 autistic children aged 2 to 6 years old were assigned to Control (n=19) and Intervention (n=26) conditions. They were submitted to evaluation before and after condition (T1 and T2) through Psychiatric and Music Therapy scales. The intervention group received individual weekly sessions on Music-centered Improvisational Music Therapy. Both groups kept usual care during study. Intervention group participated in maintenance evaluation (T3) two months after T2. Statistical analyses showed that the groups were paired on T1. Differences between T1 and T2 were significant for almost all scales on the Intervention group while the Control group showed significance only on one communication subscale. The intervention group showed moderate to large effect size, while the Control group showed a small effect size. Most improvements were not maintained on T3. Correlations between initial data and treatment response rate are discussed. Results suggest the value of Music-centered Improvisational Music Therapy in promoting improvements on behaviors, communication, and socialization for pre-school children with ASD.