Integrating Balinese Gamelan Music with Sensorimotor Rhythm Intervention to Improve Brain Wave Synchrony and Language Processing in Autistic Children

The main objective of this study was to explore the effectiveness of combining Balinese Gamelan music with sensorimotor rhythm intervention in improving brain wave synchronization and language processing abilities in autistic children. This study used a qualitative method with an ethnographic case study approach to explore how the integration of Balinese gamelan music and sensorimotor rhythm intervention has the potential to affect brain wave synchronization and language development in autistic children. This study in-depth examines the experiences of autistic participants in the context of a culture-based intervention, which combines elements of traditional rhythm with sensorimotor therapy in a natural and authentic environment. Participants were selected through purposive sampling technique, consisting of parents of children with autism spectrum who experience limitations in language processing, aged between 5 and 15 years, who had been selected based on parental willingness and therapist recommendations. The number of participants was estimated at 25 children, sufficient for in-depth data collection and considering the variability of responses to the intervention. This study shows that the integration of Balinese gamelan music with sensorimotor rhythm intervention has the potential to improve motor synchronization, focus ability, emotional engagement, and language processing in autistic children. This intervention was also able to create a positive atmosphere that supported children's engagement in a structured musical environment. In addition, preliminary data from EEG suggests that gamelan rhythms may help create more regular brainwave synchronization, although these findings require further research to confirm. Overall, the results of this study provide new insights into the role of traditional music in supporting sensorimotor and cognitive development in children on the autism spectrum, especially in unique cultural contexts.