Music therapy to improve speech and prosody in autistic children
Effectiveness of Music Therapy for Speech Delay and Prosody Disorder in Children With Autism
NA · National Taiwan University Hospital · NCT06110884
This trial will test whether adding group music therapy to regular speech therapy helps 3–5-year-old Mandarin-speaking children with autism and speech delay improve their speech prosody and language skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years to 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Taiwan University Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Hsinchu) |
| Trial ID | NCT06110884 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolling 40 children with autism and speech delay, randomized to receive either group music therapy plus standard language therapy or standard language therapy alone over 8 weeks. Participants will be recorded with professional equipment and their speech prosody will be analyzed objectively with speech analysis software before and after the intervention. Secondary measures include standardized language scores, autism trait measures, adaptive functioning, emotional behavior, and parent-child stress. The trial aims to determine whether music therapy produces measurable changes in prosody and related communication and behavioral outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Mandarin-first-language children aged 3–5 years diagnosed with autism who have verbal output and documented speech delay (Preschool Language Scale T-score < 40) and no other neurological disorders.
Not a fit: Children who are nonverbal, have other neurological conditions, primary articulation or voice disorders, or who cannot attend in-person sessions in Hsinchu are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding music therapy could improve prosody and language outcomes and offer a new, engaging therapy option for young children with autism and speech delay.
How similar studies have performed: Some small studies and pilot programs have reported benefits of music therapy for communication and prosody in autistic children, but results are mixed and larger randomized trials are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * children with autism * aged 3-5 y/o * children with speech delay (T-score of Preschool Language Scale \< 40) * Mandarin as first language Exclusion Criteria: * children with other neurological diseases * children without verbal output * children with articulation or voice disorder
Where this trial is running
Hsinchu
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-chu branch — Hsinchu, Taiwan (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Chih-en Liu, university
- Email: G03486@hch.gov.tw
- Phone: 886-3-5326151
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Autism, Language Delay, Speech Disorders in Children