The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background/Objectives: The main objective of this manuscript is to evaluate the effects of training, music, and movement intervention on motor functions, social engagement, and behaviors in autistic children. Methods: Twenty-one children with a diagnosis of mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with...

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Main Authors: Chayma Kanzari, Aymen Hawani, Karim Ben Ayed, Maher Mrayeh, Santo Marsigliante, Antonella Muscella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/87
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author Chayma Kanzari
Aymen Hawani
Karim Ben Ayed
Maher Mrayeh
Santo Marsigliante
Antonella Muscella
author_facet Chayma Kanzari
Aymen Hawani
Karim Ben Ayed
Maher Mrayeh
Santo Marsigliante
Antonella Muscella
author_sort Chayma Kanzari
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: The main objective of this manuscript is to evaluate the effects of training, music, and movement intervention on motor functions, social engagement, and behaviors in autistic children. Methods: Twenty-one children with a diagnosis of mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with an age range of 5-to-13 years, were divided into two groups: the experimental group (<i>n</i> = 10) and the control group (<i>n</i> = 11). All participants were examined before (T0) and after the intervention (T1) to evaluate their motor functions (Bruininks–Oseretsky Motor Performance Test (BOT-2)), maladaptive behavior (RCS (Response to Challenge Scale)), and enjoyment and engagement (PACES (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale)). Results: Statistical analysis showed that music and movement intervention significantly improved motor functions such as balance and bilateral coordination (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), social engagement (<i>p</i> = 0.002), and adaptive behaviors (<i>p</i> = 0.005) in children with ASD. Our research supports the feasibility of music and movement intervention and documents the interest in participating in children with ASD. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the benefits of movement and music interventions and can be considered a useful way to manage autism spectrum disorders in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-e915c49d55ed4ca89ee9feedeb0d9b682025-01-24T13:27:14ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-011218710.3390/children12010087The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum DisorderChayma Kanzari0Aymen Hawani1Karim Ben Ayed2Maher Mrayeh3Santo Marsigliante4Antonella Muscella5High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, El Kef 7100, TunisiaHigher Institute of Sport and Physical Education (Ksar Saïd), University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, TunisiaHigh Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, El Kef 7100, TunisiaHigher Institute of Sport and Physical Education (Ksar Saïd), University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, TunisiaDepartment of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, ItalyBackground/Objectives: The main objective of this manuscript is to evaluate the effects of training, music, and movement intervention on motor functions, social engagement, and behaviors in autistic children. Methods: Twenty-one children with a diagnosis of mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with an age range of 5-to-13 years, were divided into two groups: the experimental group (<i>n</i> = 10) and the control group (<i>n</i> = 11). All participants were examined before (T0) and after the intervention (T1) to evaluate their motor functions (Bruininks–Oseretsky Motor Performance Test (BOT-2)), maladaptive behavior (RCS (Response to Challenge Scale)), and enjoyment and engagement (PACES (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale)). Results: Statistical analysis showed that music and movement intervention significantly improved motor functions such as balance and bilateral coordination (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), social engagement (<i>p</i> = 0.002), and adaptive behaviors (<i>p</i> = 0.005) in children with ASD. Our research supports the feasibility of music and movement intervention and documents the interest in participating in children with ASD. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the benefits of movement and music interventions and can be considered a useful way to manage autism spectrum disorders in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/87autism spectrum disorder (ASD)musicmovementphysical activityinterventionmotor functions
spellingShingle Chayma Kanzari
Aymen Hawani
Karim Ben Ayed
Maher Mrayeh
Santo Marsigliante
Antonella Muscella
The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
music
movement
physical activity
intervention
motor functions
title The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_full The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_fullStr The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_short The Impact of a Music- and Movement-Based Intervention on Motor Competence, Social Engagement, and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_sort impact of a music and movement based intervention on motor competence social engagement and behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder
topic autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
music
movement
physical activity
intervention
motor functions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/87
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