Music Therapy and Autism Ranking:

Studies and Trials

This section provides details of scientific studies into the effectiveness music therapy for people on the autism spectrum which have been published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals.You may be able to find more studies on music therapy in our publications database.

If you know of any other studies we should include please email info@researchautism.net with the details.

Please note that we are unable to supply publications unless we are listed as the publisher. However, if you are a UK resident you may be able to obtain them from your local public library, your college library or direct from the publisher.

Related Studies and Trials

• Aldridge D., Gustorff D., Neugebauer L. (1995) A preliminary study of creative music therapy in the treatment of children with developmental delay. Arts in Psychotherapy. 22(3), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Boso M. et al. (2007) Effect of long-term interactive music therapy on behavior profile and musical skills in young adults with severe autism. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 13(7), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Brownell M. (2002) Musically adapted social stories to modify behaviors in students with autism: four case studies. Journal of Music Therapy. 39(2), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Buday E. (1995) The effects of signed and spoken words taught with music on sign and speech imitation by children with autism. Journal of Music Therapy. 32(3), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Dezfoolian L. et al. (2013) A pilot study on the effects of Orff-based therapeutic music in children with autism spectrum disorder. Music and Medicine. 5(3), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Edgerton C. (1994) The effect of improvisational music therapy on the communicative behaviors of autistic children. Journal of Music Therapy. 31(1), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Finnigan E., Starr E. (2010) Increasing social responsiveness in a child with autism: A comparison of music and non-music interventions. Autism. 14(4), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Fuggle K. et al. (1995) Music therapy in the treatment of a child with epilepsy and autism. Epilepsia. 36(3),
  
  
• Gattino G. S. et al. (2011) Effects of relational music therapy on communication of children with autism: a randomized controlled study. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy.
  
  
• Geretsegger M. et al. (2016) Feasibility of a trial on improvisational music therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Music Therapy. 53(2), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Ghasemtabar S. N. et al. (2015) Music therapy: An effective approach in improving social skills of children with autism. Advanced Biomedical Research. 4 Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• Gooding L. (2011) The effect of a music therapy social skills training program on improving social competence in children and adolescents with social skills deficits. Journal of Music Therapy. 48(4), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Hillier A. et al. (2012) Positive outcomes following participation in a music intervention for adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Psychology of Music. 40(2), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Kaplan R. S., Steele A. L. (2005) An analysis of music therapy program goals and outcomes for clients with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. Journal of Music Therapy. 42(1), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Kern P., Aldridge D. (2006) Using embedded music therapy interventions to support outdoor play of young children with autism in an inclusive community-based child care program. Journal of Music Therapy. 43(4), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Kim J., Wigram T., Gold C. (2008) The effects of improvisational music therapy on joint attention behaviors in autistic children: A randomized controlled study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 38(9), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Kim J., Wigram T., Gold C. (2009) Emotional, motivational and interpersonal responsiveness of children with autism in improvisational music therapy. Autism. 13(4), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Kostka M. J. (1993) A comparison of selected behaviors of a student with autism in special education and regular music classes. Music Therapy Perspectives. 11(2), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• LaGasse A. B. (2014) Effects of a music therapy group intervention on enhancing social skills in children with autism. Journal of Music Therapy. 51(3), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Lim H. A., Draper E. (2011) The effects of music therapy incorporated with applied behavior analysis verbal behavior approach for children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Music Therapy. 48(4), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Mahlberg M. (1973) Music therapy in the treatment of an autistic child. Journal of Music Therapy. 10(4),
  
  
• Oldfield A., Adams M. (1990) The effects of music therapy on a group of profoundly handicapped adults. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research. 34(2), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Oldfield A., Bunce L., Adams M. (2003) An investigation into short-term music therapy with mothers and young children. British Journal of Music Therapy. 17(1), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Pasiali V. (2004) The use of prescriptive songs in a home-based environment to promote social skills acquisition by children with autism: Three case studies. Music Therapy Perspectives. 22(1),
  
  
• Rosenblatt L. et al. (2011) Relaxation response-based yoga improves functioning in young children with autism: a pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 17(11), Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• Saperston B. (1973) The use of music in establishing communication with an autistic mentally retarded child. Journal of Music Therapy. 10(4),
  
  
• See C. (2012) The use of music and movement therapy to modify behaviour of children with autism. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 20(4), Read Full (New Window)
  
  
• Stevens E., Clark F. (1969) Music therapy in the treatment of autistic children. Journal of Music Therapy. 6(4),
  
  
• Thompson G. A., McFerran K., Gold C. (2014) Family-centred music therapy to promote social engagement in young children with severe autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled study. Child Care Health and Development. 40(6), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Vaiouli P., Grimmet K., Ruich L. J. (2015) Bill is now singing: Joint engagement and the emergence of social communication of three young children with autism. Autism. Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  

Updated

19 Dec 2017

Last Review

01 Sep 2016

Next Review

01 Sep 2019