The effect of virtual music therapy interventions on the executive function of a child with autism spectrum disorder : a single-case study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of virtual music therapy interventions on the executive function (EF) of five areas: working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, emotional control, and planning of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study employed a mixed methods design of the ABA single-case and the qualitative single-case design. Eight online music therapy sessions were provided to the five-year-old boy with ASD and his mother. Executive Function Development Assessment (MU.EF-101) and Executive Function Behavior Assessment (MU.EF-102) were used to measure EF. The EF scores were analyzed using visual inspection. Observation and parent interviewing were used to collect the qualitative data of the child's behaviors related to EF. The results showed that during the baseline A1 phase, the mean score of EF development from MU.EF-101 was 94.50 and EF problematic behaviors from MU.EF-102 was 60. Between the intervention phase, the score of MU.EF-101 continuously grew overtime to 111, while the score of MU.EF-102 declined gradually to 38.5. During the baseline A2 phase, the mean score of MU.EF-101 was 112.50 and MU.EF-102 was 34.67. According to the findings, virtual music therapy interventions can enhance executive functions of a child with autism spectrum disorder