• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.97-125
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• 2020

This case study examined the effects of synchronization-based group music therapy for improving peer interaction of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The participants were five children between the ages of 6 and 10 with ASD. A total of eight 30-minute music therapy sessions were conducted two times a week. During sessions, target behaviors (i.e., engagement in joint action, synchronized movements, eye contact, and initiation of social interaction) were observed and analyzed. Also, the PIPPS-P was completed by parents to identify behavioral changes in real-life environments from pretest to posttest. Following the intervention, all of the participants showed increases in synchronized movements with peers and attempts to initiate social interaction. In addition, parents rated their children's play behavior as being improved in their everyday living environment. These results support that synchronous movements between children with ASD, which were facilitated with rhythmic cueing, led to enhanced engagement in joint action. Considering that those movements are the basis for further social skills (e.g., play behavior), this study also indicates that synchronization-based group music therapy could be an effective therapeutic approach for improving the peer interaction of this population.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-72
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• 2019

This study reviewed and analyzed English-written studies using a rhythmic tapping task for motor control of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Inclusion criteria for the participants were children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. The keywords used for the outcome variables included rhythmic tapping, timed movement, and synchronization. Ten studies were included in the final analysis. The included studies were analyzed in terms of target variables, auditory stimuli, and measurements. A meta-analysis was also conducted to examine how children with ASD performed rhythmic tapping tasks compared to children with TD. In the identified studies, five variables were used: timed movement control, timing reproduction, bimanual coordination, synchronization, and interpersonal synchronization. It was found that rhythmic tapping performance was analyzed in terms of accuracy and precision of the movement and reported as significantly correlated to social skills measures. The meta-analysis results showed that there were no significant differences between the ASD and TD groups in continuing rhythmic movements when the presented auditory stimuli ended, whereas there were significant group differences in their ability to maintain their motor performance consistently and to synchronize with auditory cue or with others. These results support the rhythmic tapping task as an effective measure for not only motor control but also social skills development in children with ASD.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.75-97
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive-motor interaction-based instrument playing on the early social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nine children with ASD, averaging 5.6 years of age, participated in twelve individual sessions lasting 30 minutes each. The intervention comprised five stages: self-regulation, motivation to engage in social interaction, acceptance of a partner in co-playing activities, interpersonal coordination with a partner, and engagement in joint music playing. To evaluate changes in early social skills, joint attention and social interaction behaviors were observed, and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) was administered pre- and post-intervention. Social synchronization was measured through a dyadic drum task, measuring synchronization accuracy, duration, and timing. Following the intervention, all nine children demonstrated increased early social behaviors, although there were no significant differences in SRS scores. Moreover, synchronized movement improved significantly in accuracy and maintained duration but not in reaction time. This study highlights the significance of recognizing the cognitive-motor interplay as crucial element in facilitating early social skills development in children with ASD.