Randomised controlled Trial of Improvisational Music therapy's Effectiveness for children with Autism spectrum disorders (TIME-A): Study protocol

Bidragets oversatte titel: Randomiseret kontrolleret undersøgelse af improviseret musikterapi's effekt på børn med autisme spektrum forstyrrelse (TIME-A): Forskningsprotokol

Monika Geretsegger, Ulla Holck, Christian Gold

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

58 Citationer (Scopus)
637 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
Previous research has suggested that music therapy may facilitate skills in areas typically affected by autism spectrum disorders such as social interaction and communication. However, generalisability of previous findings has been restricted, as studies were limited in either methodological accuracy or the clinical relevance of their approach. The aim of this study is to determine effects of improvisational music therapy on social communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorders. An additional aim of the study is to examine if variation in dose of treatment (i.e., number of music therapy sessions per week) affects outcome of therapy, and to determine cost-effectiveness.

Methods
Children aged between 4;0 and 6;11 years who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Parents of all participants will receive three sessions of parent counselling (at 0, 2, and 5 months). In addition, children randomised to the two intervention groups will be offered individual, improvisational music therapy over a period of five months, either one session (low-intensity) or three sessions (high-intensity) per week. Generalised effects of music therapy will be measured using standardised scales completed by blinded assessors (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, ADOS) and parents (Social Responsiveness Scale, SRS) before and 2, 5, and 12 months after randomisation. Cost effectiveness will be calculated as man years. A group sequential design with first interim look at N = 235 will ensure both power and efficiency.

Discussion
Responding to the need for more rigorously designed trials examining the effectiveness of music therapy in autism spectrum disorders, this pragmatic trial sets out to generate findings that will be well generalisable to clinical practice. Addressing the issue of dose variation, this study's results will also provide information on the relevance of session frequency for therapy outcome. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN78923965.
Bidragets oversatte titelRandomiseret kontrolleret undersøgelse af improviseret musikterapi's effekt på børn med autisme spektrum forstyrrelse (TIME-A): Forskningsprotokol
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftB M C Pediatrics
Vol/bind12
Udgave nummer2
Antal sider9
ISSN1471-2431
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 5 jan. 2012

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