The Therapeutic Effects of Music Therapy on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adolescents Come from a Controlled Trial Study in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/y277b273Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Music Therapy, Adolescents, Social Communication, Randomized Controlled Trial, Cultural Adaptation, Complementary TherapyAbstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents significant challenges in social communication and interaction, particularly during adolescence when social demands intensify. This comprehensive review examines the therapeutic potential of music therapy for adolescent autistic individuals, with specific attention to research conducted in Pakistan. We analyzed empirical evidence from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative research to determine the clinical effectiveness of music-based interventions. Findings indicate that music therapy demonstrates promising outcomes in improving social communication, reducing autism severity, and enhancing quality of life among autistic adolescents. The Pakistani research context offers unique insights into cultural adaptations necessary for effective implementation. However, the review also reveals significant research gaps in adolescent-specific studies and long-term follow-ups. This synthesis contributes to the growing body of cross-cultural evidence supporting music therapy as an effective complementary approach for adolescent autism intervention.
References
[1]Geretsegger, M., Fusar-Poli, L., Elefant, C., Mössler, K. A., Vitale, G., & Gold, C. (2022). Music therapy for autistic people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, CD004381. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004381.pub4
[2]Sharda, M., Tuerk, C., Chowdhury, R. et al. Music improves social communication and auditory-motor connectivity in children with autism. Transl Psychiatry 8, 231 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-018-0287-3
[3]Clare O’Callaghan, Daniel J Hubik, Justin Dwyer, Martin Williams, Margaret Ross, Experience of Music Used With Psychedelic Therapy: A Rapid Review and Implications, Journal of Music Therapy, Volume 57, Issue 3, Fall 2020, Pages 282-314, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thaa006
[4]Shahzadi N, Akram B, Dawood S, Ahmad F. Translation, Validation and Factor Structure of the Handling Bullying Questionnaire in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research. 2019; 34(3): 497-510. https://doi.org/10.33824/PJPR.2019.34.3.27
[5]Molnar-Szakacs, I., & Heaton, P. (2012). Music: A unique window into the world of autism. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1252(1), 318-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06465.x
[6]Bharathi, G., Jayaramayya, K., Balasubramanian, V., & Vellingiri, B. (2019). The potential role of rhythmic entrainment and music therapy intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 15(2), 180-186. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836578.289
[7]LaGasse, A. B. (2017). Social outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder: A review of music therapy outcomes. Patient Related Outcome Measures, 8, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.2147/PROM.S106267
[8]Mottron, L., Dawson, M., & Soulières, I. (2009). Enhanced perception in savant syndrome: Patterns, structure and creativity. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1522), 1385-1391. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0333
[9]Kleberg, J.L., Nyström, P., Bölte, S. et al. Sex Differences in Social Attention in Infants at Risk for Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 1342-1351 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3799-z
[10]Picci, G., & Scherf, K. S. (2015). A two-hit model of autism: Adolescence as the second hit. Clinical Psychological Science, 3(3), 349-371. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702614540646
[11]Spain, D., & Blainey, S. H. (2015). Group social skills interventions for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review. Autism, 19(7), 874-886. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361315587659 (Original work published 2015)
[12]American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
[13]eidan, J., Fombonne, E., Scorah, J., Ibrahim, A., Durkin, M. S., Saxena, S., ... & Elsabbagh, M. (2022). Global prevalence of autism: A systematic review update. Autism Research, 15(5), 778-790. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2696
[14]Kim, J., Wigram, T., & Gold, C. (2009). Emotional, motivational and interpersonal responsiveness of children with autism in improvisational music therapy. Autism, 13(4), 389-409. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361309105660
[15]Grace A Thompson, Long-Term Perspectives of Family Quality of Life Following Music Therapy With Young Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Phenomenological Study, Journal of Music Therapy, Volume 54, Issue 4, Winter 2017, Pages 432-459, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thx013
[16]Smith, A., Prendeville, P., & Kinsella, W. (2017). Using preferred interests to model social skills in a peer-mentored environment for students with special educational needs. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 22(8), 921-935. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2017.1412516
[17]Akemoglu, Y., Tomeny, K.R. A Parent-Implemented Shared-Reading Intervention to Promote Communication Skills of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 2974-2987 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04757-0
[18]Jopowicz A, Wiśniowska J, Tarnacka B. Cognitive and Physical Intervention in Metals’ Dysfunction and Neurodegeneration. Brain Sciences. 2022; 12(3):345. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030345
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mehmood khalifdash (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
