Evaluating the brain basis of a music intervention in autism

A randomized control trial of a music-based intervention for children with autism - brain and behavioural mechanisms of efficacy

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN26821793

Enrollment

Registered

2016-07-18

Start date

2016-04-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2018-11-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Mental and Behavioural Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Participants are randomized to one of two groups. The first 20 participants will be randomized using simple coin toss. Subsequent randomization will be conducted using the covariate adaptive randomiza

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Children aged 6-12 years 2. Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder 3. No co-morbid neurological disorder 4. No hearing impairment 5. No experience of music therapy in the 6 months preceding the start of the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Co-morbid neurological condition 2. Metallic implant in body 3. Hearing impairment 4. Experience of music therapy in the 6 months preceding the start of the study

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Socio-communicative responsiveness (in the domains of Social Awareness, Social Cognition, Social Communication, Social Motivation, Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behavior) is measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 at baseline and 12 weeks 2. Pragmatic language and communication skills are measured using the Children's Communication Checklist-2 at baseline and 12 weeks 3. Receptive vocabulary is measured using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test at baseline and 12 weeks 4. Functional brain connectivity was measured using resting-state functional MRI at baseline and at 12 weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Socio-communicative responsiveness (in the domains of Social Awareness, Social Cognition, Social Communication, Social Motivation, Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behavior) is measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 at baseline and 12 weeks 2. Pragmatic language and communication skills are measured using the Children's Communication Checklist-2 at baseline and 12 weeks 3. Receptive vocabulary is measured using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test at baseline and 12 weeks 4. Functional brain connectivity was measured using resting-state functional MRI at baseline and at 12 weeks

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Family quality of life is measured using the Beach Family Quality of Life Scale at baseline and at 12 weeks 2. Gross and fine-motor skills are measured using the Motor skills subdomain of the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (II) at baseline and at 12 weeks 3. Inhibitory control is measured by the Flanker and Go-No Go task at baseline and at 12 weeks 4. Musical abilities are measured by the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Musical Abilities at baseline and at 12 weeks	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Family quality of life is measured using the Beach Family Quality of Life Scale at baseline and at 12 weeks 2. Gross and fine-motor skills are measured using the Motor skills subdomain of the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (II) at baseline and at 12 weeks 3. Inhibitory control is measured by the Flanker and Go-No Go task at baseline and at 12 weeks 4. Musical abilities are measured by the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Musical Abilities at baseline and at 12 weeks

—

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 23, 2026