Music for Autism (M4A)

Summary

The Music for Autism (M4A) trial evaluates the neurobehavioral outcomes of a music therapy (MT) intervention, compared to a matched play therapy (PT) intervention, on social communication skills, brain connectivity and structural brain changes. In a crossover randomised controlled trial (RCT), 80 children with autism across all levels of functioning, aged 6-12 years, undergo a baseline assessment, which includes measurements of social communication, participation, functional connectivity and brain structure. Participants are then randomly allocated to a sequence of interventions (MT-PT or PT-MT) and assessments are taken before and after each intervention period. Both interventions will target common goals and follow the same structure, while at the same time allowing for flexibility in the therapists' approach. It is hypothesized that 12 weeks of intervention through MT, compared to PT, will improve social communication skills, participation, and other relevant mental health outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as regulate resting-state functional over and under-connectivity and increase grey and white matter volume in specified regions. The investigators also expect changes in functional brain connectivity to correlate with behavioural outcome measures, specifically with improved social communication skills.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Autism

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Music Therapy

Music therapy will use rhythmic cues, music instruments (piano, drums, djembe, xylophone, harmonica), songs, and stories accompanied by songs or musical instruments to target common goals.

BEHAVIORAL

Play therapy

Play therapy is designed as a play-based active comparison condition to control for factors such as support, therapist attention, positive expectancies, and emotional engagement. It will use verbal interaction, toys (Lego, finger puppets, Play Doh, puzzles), and the same stories as in MT, but without a musical component, to target common goals.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bergen

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Vienna

  collaborator OTHER

• NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Christian Gold, PhD · NORCE Norwegian research Centre

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-08-01

Primary Completion

2024-12-17

Completion

2024-12-31

Countries

• Austria
• Norway

Study Locations