The intervention effects of music therapy on children with autism : A descriptive literature review

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social communication and stereotyped behaviors. Music therapy (MT) as a non-pharmacological intervention has shown potential to improve symptoms in children with ASD in recent years, but its specific efficacy still needs to be systematically evaluated.Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the intervention effects of music therapy in children aged 4-8 years with ASD, focusing on its improvement in social communication skills and stereotypical behaviors.Methods: A descriptive literature review design was used to search PubMed and Cinahl databases for relevant studies from 2014 to 2024. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies in children aged 4-8 years with ASD. Finally, 10 studies were selected for data extraction and classification analysis.Results: Music therapy (especially improvisational music therapy and neurological music therapy) significantly improved the abilities of children with ASD in terms of social-emotional interaction, nonverbal communication, and interpersonal relationship-building. In addition, MT reduced repetitive behaviors, abnormal attention, and abnormal sensory responses.Conclusions: Music therapy can be an effective adjuvant therapy for children with ASD, promoting social participation and autonomous behavior through structured interaction, but its long-term effects and applicability need further study.