Effects of music therapy on mood, language, behavior, and social skills in children with autism: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effects of music therapy on mood, language, behavior, and social skills in children with autism.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using the following Chinese databases: the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, the Chinese Biomedical Literature (CBM) Database, and the VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals Database. The search terms were “autistic children” or “children with autism” and “music therapy” or “music treatment.” Studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and each publication included was assessed for quality. A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1.

Results

Publications were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Six research articles describing RCTs were included; the total sample size was 300 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that music therapy improved mood [Risk ratio (RR) = 3.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.93–4.11, Z = 5.45, P < 0.000 01] and behavior (RR = 7.36, 95% CI = 4.28–10.44, Z = 4.69, P = 0.000 01) in children with autism. Additionally, music therapy improved language (RR = 4.05, 95% CI = 3.38–4.73, Z = 11.71, P = 0.000 01), sensory perception (RR = 4.62, 95% CI = 1.55–7.69, Z = 2.95, P = 0.003), and social skills (RR = 4.66, 95% CI = 1.90–7.42, Z = 3.31, P = 0.000 9) in children with autism.

Conclusions

Music therapy can improve mood, language, sensory perception, behavior, and social skills in children with autism.