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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Translational psychiatry 2018-10, Vol.8 (1), p.231-13, Article 231
Main Authors: Sharda, Megha, Tuerk, Carola, Chowdhury, Rakhee, Jamey, Kevin, Foster, Nicholas, Custo-Blanch, Melanie, Tan, Melissa, Nadig, Aparna, Hyde, Krista
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Autism
Autistic children
Behavioral Sciences
Biological Psychology
Communication
Intervention
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Music
Neurosciences
Pharmacotherapy
Psychiatry
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Summary: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  
ISSN:2158-3188
2158-3188
DOI:10.1038/s41398-018-0287-3