Comparative Evaluation of Music and Movement Therapy and Visual Pedagogy as Interventional Tools in Promoting Oral Health in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal
Special Care in Dentistry: Official Publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry
Year
2025
Abstract
AIM: To compare the effectiveness of music and movement therapy (M&MT) and visual pedagogy (VP) as interventional tools in promoting oral health in children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two children with ASD aged 7-15 years were randomized into two groups (N = 36), Group I received M&MT and Group II received VP. Plaque and gingival indices were recorded at baseline and the end of first, second, and third months. Perception questionnaires and a checklist to evaluate toothbrushing skills were distributed to their parents. An inter-group comparison with independent t-test and Intra group Comparison using paired t-test were performed. RESULTS: The mean plaque index score for Group I and II at the end of third month (0.27 + 0.71, 0.71 + 0.26), and the mean gingival index score for Group I and II at the end of third month 0.29 + 0.15, 0.62 + 0.26 which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Significant improvement in toothbrushing skills was observed in children of Group I. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ASD in Group I learnt toothbrushing skills expeditiously when compared to children in Group II. Therefore, it can be concluded that M&MT could be an effective tool in training toothbrushing skills. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2022/10/046615 (Clinical Trial Registry).
Music and Health Institute Terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder; Music Therapy; Children; Physiological Measures
Indexed Terms
Adolescents; Autism spectrum disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Children; Dental Plaque Index; gingival index; music and movement therapy; Oral Health; Periodontal Index; plaque index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toothbrushing; toothbrushing skill; visual pedagogy
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trial; Quantitative Methods
PubMed ID
PMID: 40051220
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Raja, R., Sharma, A., Ramesh, B., Ramassamy, E., Esai Amudhan, N., Prasath N, H., & Govindasamy, E. (2025). Comparative Evaluation of Music and Movement Therapy and Visual Pedagogy as Interventional Tools in Promoting Oral Health in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Special Care in Dentistry: Official Publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry, 45 (2) Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-citations/1814