Effects of vibroacoustic music on challenging behaviors

Lundqvist, L., Andersson, G., & Viding, J. (2009). Effects of vibroacoustic music on challenging behaviors in individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, p. 390-400.

Affiliations:
1) Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden
2) Department of Behavioural, Social, and Legal Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden
3) Centre for Adult Habilitation, Orebro County Council, Orebro, Sweden

Abstract:
Vibroacoustic music has been proposed to be an effective treatment for individuals with developmental disorders and challenging behaviours. The present study experimentally tested the effects of vibroacoustic music on self-injurious, stereotypical, and aggressive destructive behaviours in 20 individuals with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. The participants were randomized into two groups in a randomized controlled trial evaluation. The first group received 10–20min sessions with vibroacoustic music treatment for 5 weeks. Then the second group received the same treatment during the next 5 weeks. Behaviour was assessed using the Behaviour Problems Inventory in all participants before the treatment, after the first group had completed their treatment, and again after the second group had completed their treatment. In order to evaluate each session, the accompanying assistants assessed behaviour on different scales after each session. In addition, the sessions were videotaped and analyzed minute by minute for challenging behaviours. The results revealed that vibroacoustic music reduced self-injurious, stereotypic, and aggressive destructive behaviors in the participants. In addition, the results indicated that the effect of vibroacoustic music was to some extent dependent on the participants’ diagnosis. Implications for vibroacoustic music theory and practice are discussed.

Keywords:
Vibroacoustic music, Self-injurious behaviour, Stereotypic behaviour, Aggressive destructive behaviour, Autism

Weblink:
http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.proxy1.lib.uwo.ca/details/17509467/v03i0002/390_eovmociwaadd.xml
doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2008.08.005