Improved motor skills in autistic children after three weeks of neurologic music therapy via telehealth: a pilot study

Authors

Nicole M. Richard Williams, Belmont UniversityFollow
Corene Hurt-Thaut, University of TorontoFollow
Jessica Brian, Bloorview Research Institute, University of TorontoFollow
Luc Tremblay, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of TorontoFollow
Marija Pranjic, Harvard Children'sFollow
Jessica Teich, Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory, Faculty of Music, University of TorontoFollow
Melissa Tan, Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory, Faculty of Music, University of TorontoFollow
Julia Kowaleski, Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory, Faculty of Music, University of TorontoFollow
Michael Thaut, Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory, Faculty of Music, University of TorontoFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-7-2024

Abstract

Background: Many autistic children experience motor skill deficits which can impact other areas of functioning, and research on therapeutic interventions for motor skills in autism is in a preliminary stage. Music-based therapies have been used extensively to address motor skills in non-autistic populations. Though a handful of studies exist on the effects of music-based therapies for movement in autistic children, none have investigated the possibility of administering sessions via telehealth. This mixed-methods pilot study investigated whether nine Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)^® sessions via telehealth would improve motor and attention skills in autistic children.

Methods: Five autistic children between five and 10 years of age participated in the study, with support from their caregivers. Motor skills were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency second edition, short form (BOT-2 SF), and a selective attention and sustained attention task were taken from the Test of Everyday Attention for Children, Second Edition (TEA-Ch2). Caregivers and the two neurologic music therapists involved in the study provided qualitative input about the perceived effectiveness of telehealth NMT for the children involved. Their responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Caregivers also filled out a Sensory Profile 2 assessment prior to the onset of sessions so that each child’s sensory profile could be compared to their motor and attention results.

Results: Statistically significant improvements in motor skills were observed between pre-test assessment and a two-week follow-up assessment. Results from attention test scores were not significant. Caregivers and neurologic music therapists generally perceived sessions positively and noted the importance of having caregivers actively involved. When compared with individual progress on the BOT-2 SF assessment, sensory profile results revealed that children with fewer sensory sensitivities tended to improve the most on motor skills. The improvements in motor skills and positive caregiver and therapist views of telehealth indicate that NMT motor interventions administered via telehealth are a promising avenue of therapeutic support for movement skill development in autistic children.

Recommended Citation

Richard Williams, Nicole M.; Hurt-Thaut, Corene; Brian, Jessica; Tremblay, Luc; Pranjic, Marija; Teich, Jessica; Tan, Melissa; Kowaleski, Julia; and Thaut, Michael, "Improved motor skills in autistic children after three weeks of neurologic music therapy via telehealth: a pilot study" (2024). Faculty Scholarship. 8.
https://repository.belmont.edu/musicfaculty/8