Vibroacoustic therapy and its effects on the attention of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Attention challenges are common among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as evidenced by observable behaviours and brain structure (Janzen & Thaut, 2018). Attention challenges seen in ASD are linked to poor socio-communication and emotion regulation skills (Beckwe et al., 2014; Janzen & Thaut, 2018; Leitch, 2017; Lutz et al., 2008; McRae et al., 2012). This mixed methods study investigates Vibroacoustic Therapy (VAT) as a potential intervention for children with ASD, focusing specifically on its effects on attention and its link to emotion regulation. The study also aims to understand the experiences of children with ASD undergoing VAT to determine its feasibility as a therapeutic intervention. The pilot study involved 18 children (n=18), with nine in the treatment group and nine in the control group and three in the pilot group. It also involved the teachers of the children in the treatment and control groups. The study commenced with a pilot phase involving the pilot group, after which the treatment and control groups underwent 10 20-minute VAT sessions over six weeks. The study used a concurrent design, collecting independent quantitative and qualitative data throughout and integrating them in the interpretation phase. Quantitative components included attention assessments (NEPSY-II and JTAT) and teacher questionnaires which assessed sustained, selective, alternating, and joint attention, common challenges in children with ASD (Allen & Courchesne, 2001; Warreyn et al., 2014). Tests were administered before, halfway through, immediately after, and one week after the intervention to measure effects over time. Qualitative components included observations and creative semi-structured interviews, exploring the children's experiences of VAT. Findings indicated significant improvements in joint attention and positive experiences in emotion regulation, positioning VAT as a valuable intervention. The study confirms the acceptability and feasibility of VAT, emphasising its potential for integration into therapeutic programs, therapy practices, and school sensory rooms. However, one may need to adapt the intervention to meet diverse needs and sensory profiles of children with ASD. The study provides insight into VAT as a holistic therapy approach for children with ASD, highlighting specific recommendations for future research and implementations for practice.

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