Dance intervention for negative symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Tingting; Wen, Rou; Liu, Haoqiang; Zhong, Xiaoke; Jiang, Changhao
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 47(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Dance -- Dance/ movement therapy -- ASD -- Negative symptoms -- Social interaction -- Empathy; ASD Autism spectrum disorder -- ASIM Assessment of Spontaneous Interaction in Movement -- CARS Childhood Autism Rate Scale -- CEEQ Cognitive and Emotional Empathy Questionnaire -- DMT Dance/movement therapy -- DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition -- ECA-R Evaluation of Autistic Behavior -- EES Emotional Empathy Scale -- ES Effect size -- FIM Functional Independence Measure -- HSI Heidelberger State Inventory -- ICD-10 International Classification of Disorders-10th Revision -- IRI Interpersonal Reactivity Index -- MET Multifaceted Empathy Test -- MNS Mirror neuron system -- PEDro Physiotherapy Evidence Database -- RCTs Randomized control trials -- SANS Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms -- SD Standard deviations -- SMD Standardized mean differences; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101565
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder, marked by deficits in social communication and social interaction as well as by a restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests and activities. There is an increasing interest in the use of dance as part of rehabilitation for individuals with ASD. However, it is not clear how dance can influence on ASD symptoms. And few studies have measured and compared the outcomes of multiple studies. This study was aimed to provide a more comprehensive perspective of the efficacy of dance practice on ASD symptoms by conducting a systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, EBSCO, MEDLINE, Cochrane and PsycINFO were searched for relevant studies reporting on the effects of dance on ASD symptoms. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled studies were included in this review. Two review authors independently performed literature search, data extraction, and study quality assessment. Effect sizes for ASD symptoms were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Seven eligible studies were included for meta-analysis. Dance interventions varied in frequency (1–2 sessions/week), time (40 − 90 min), duration (7 − 17 weeks) and type. As compared to control groups, dance practice showed significant alleviation of overall symptoms of ASD (−1.48 points, CI −2.55 to − 0.42 points, p = 0.006, I 2 = 75%) and improvement in social interaction (0.88, CI 0.46 to 1.30, p < 0.0001, I 2 = 0%), but no significant effect on empathy (0.09, CI − 0.25 to 0.42, p = 0.61, I 2 = 2%). Conclusions: Dance probably alleviate the negative symptoms and social deficits of individuals with ASD. However, little difference is found in empathy. Further research and studies are needed to determine the optimal dose and if dance results in greater benefits than other types of physical activity.