None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
A single-case ABAB design will assess salivary cortisol data and SIB frequency captured via video footage when the child travels in the morning from home to school by bus. Children will be exposed to two conditions. The Non-Music condition will see the child riding the school bus without listening to music. The Music condition will see the child listening to music whilst travelling to school by bus.
Interventions
Research suggests that music can reduce arousal and that reducing arousal can reduce Self-Injurious Behaviour. The intention of this research is to conduct three studies designed to test whether arousal mediates the relationship between music and SIB, hence defining the 3-Stage Mediating Model. Study 1, the first stage of the 3 -Stage Mediating Model, involves the selection, performance and provision of music performed in Rondo, Theme and Variations and Sonata forms rated by primary carers of ma
Research suggests that music can reduce arousal and that reducing arousal can reduce Self-Injurious Behaviour. The intention of this research is to conduct three studies designed to test whether arousal mediates the relationship between music and SIB, hence defining the 3-Stage Mediating Model. Study 1, the first stage of the 3 -Stage Mediating Model, involves the selection, performance and provision of music performed in Rondo, Theme and Variations and Sonata forms rated by primary carers of males with autism from most to least sedate. The first 2 minutes of 6 musical performances, two from each Rondo, Theme and Variations and Sonata forms (appearing in a randomised order) will be rated by primary carers of males with Low Functioning Autism from 1 = least calming to 6 = most calming or that none were calming. Ratings from at least 30 primary carers will then be analysed to reveal the single muscial performance that is agreed to be most calming. This piece of music will be applied to Study 2, the second stage of the 3 -Stage Mediating Model, and Study 3, the third stage of the 3 -Stage Mediating Model. Study 2 (ACTRN12611001063909)the second stage of the 3 -Stage Mediating Model: A laboratory based randomised control trial will test if Receptive Music Therapy (listening to music selected in Study 1 as most calming) can reduce salivary cortisol levels and Self Injurious Behaviour frequencies for children with Low Functioning Autism when exposed to 13 minutes video footage of a school bus ride (a Trier Social Stress Test). This study is designed to assess the trial within a laboratory setting prior to its application within a naturalistic setting; an actual school bus. Frequency: the participant will attend Curtin University Laboratory once per week for 2 weeks. Duration: 13 minutes watching a TV playing video footage of a school bus ride. The total time of preparation and collection of saliva for anaylsis will be less than 45 minutes. Study 3 A single case design will test if Receptive Music Therapy (listening to music rated as most calming from Study 1, then applied in Study 2) can reduce salivary cortisol levels and Self Injurious Behaviour frequencies for children with Low Functioning Autism when travelling to school by bus (an applied version of the Trier Social Stress Test). Frequency: one day per week over 4 consecutive weeks Duration: 1 hour per week
Sponsors
Curtin University
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Age
6 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Males aged between 6 to 11 years, Diagnosis of Autism and Intellectual Disability defined by a Full Scale Intelligence Quotient of 70 or below, the presence of Self-Injurious Behaviour, travel to school by bus, maintain ongoing treatment for the duration of the trial, no aversion to wearing earphones or having swabs taken for saliva collection as endorsed by primary carer(s).
Exclusion criteria
Aversion to wearing headphones as stated by primary carer(s), not a school bus traveller, no primary carers to assist in transport or collection of saliva samples.
Outcome results
None listed