Evaluating improvisational music therapy for autistic children

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to assess the effectiveness of individual sessions of improvisational music therapy for children aged 7 to 11 diagnosed with autism. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive improvisational music therapy in addition to usual care or to receive usual care alone over a 12-week period. The study will measure improvements in social communication and communication skills through various assessments, including the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change. The trial will take place in multiple schools across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, London, and the South and East of England.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 7 to 11 years.
* A clinical diagnosis of autism made by a qualified professional according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10th Revision criteria. Confirmed by a copy of the clinical report detailing the diagnosis (if available) or verified verbally by the child's parents.
* Parents/guardians must give informed consent for their children to be enrolled in the trial.
* Parents/guardians must be willing for the music therapy sessions and BOSCC assessments to be video recorded for monitoring and research purpose
* Participants must be willing to attend two music therapy sessions per week for the duration of the trial.
* Non-verbal children may be included

Exclusion Criteria:

* Received regular individual music therapy in the preceding year as this would be likely to have a strong influence on the course of therapy.
* Severe hearing deficit as this would alter the aim, course, and implementation of therapy.
* Caregivers that are unable to attend for the psychological assessments with their child.
* Caregivers without a basic understanding of English.

Where it's running

• Anglia Ruskin University
  Cambridge, United Kingdom Recruiting
• Autism Research Centre
  Cambridge, United Kingdom Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jonathan Pool, PhD — Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
• Study coordinator: Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor
• Email: sb205@cam.ac.uk
• Phone: 01223 465215

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.