Cahart, M.-S., Amad, A., Draper, S. B., Lowry, R. G., Marino, L., Carey, C., Ginestet, C. E., Smith, M. S. and Williams, S. C. R. (2022) The Effect of Learning to Drum on Behaviour and Brain Function in Autistic Adolescents. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 119 (23). ISSN 0027-8424
PNAS final (1) - Drumming and autism.pdf - Accepted Version
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Abstract
There is an acknowledged need for improved service provision in the context of autism spectrum disorders. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive role drum training can play in improving behavioral outcomes for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties. However, to date, none of these studies has explored how these behavioral changes translate at the neural level. Our study provides strong evidence that drumming not only reduces hyperactivity and inattention in autistic adolescents but also strengthens functional connectivity in brain regions responsible for inhibitory control and action outcome monitoring.