Changements de l'anxiété à la suite d'un essai contrôlé randomisé d'une intervention thérapeutique fondée sur le théâtre pour les jeunes avec trouble du spectre de l'autisme

Aperçu: G.M.

L'anxiété et le stress accrus sont fréquents chez les enfants avec trouble du spectre de l'autisme et sont associés à des défis sociaux. L'intervention basée sur le théâtre (30 jeunes de 8 à 14 ans), médiée par les pairs, contribue non seulement à l'amélioration de la compétence sociale chez les jeunes avec trouble du spectre de l'autisme, mais contribue également à réduire l'anxiété associée à une plus grande interaction sociale avec les pairs. Les résultats suggèrent qu'un certain degré d'excitation physiologique est essentiel à l'interaction sociale.

Autism. 2017 Apr;21(3):333-343. doi: 10.1177/1362361316643623. Epub 2016 Jul 8.

Changes in anxiety following a randomized control trial of a theatre-based intervention for youth with autism spectrum disorder

Corbett BA¹, Blain SD¹, Ioannou S², Balser M¹.

Author information

1

1 Vanderbilt University, USA.

2

2 Lipscomb University, USA.

Abstract

Increased anxiety and stress are frequently found in children with autism spectrum disorder and are associated with social challenges. Recently, we reported changes in social competence following peer-mediated, theatre-based intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the intervention on reducing anxiety and stress. Participants included 30 youth with autism spectrum disorder (8-14 years old) randomly assigned to the experimental (17) or waitlist control (13) group. Pretest adjusted, between-group differences were analyzed for state-anxiety, trait-anxiety, play-based cortisol, and diurnal cortisol. Pearson correlations were conducted between anxiety, cortisol, and group play. Significant pretest-adjusted between-group differences at posttest were observed on trait-anxiety (F(1, 27) = 9.16, p = 0.005) but not state-anxiety (F(1, 27) = 0.03, p = 0.86), showing lower trait-anxiety in the experimental group. There were no between-group differences on cortisol. There was a significant negative correlation between group play and trait-anxiety (r = -0.362, p = 0.05). Playground cortisol correlated with group play, for the experimental group (r = 0.55, p = 0.03). The theatre-based, peer-mediated intervention not only contributes to improvement in social competence in youth with autism spectrum disorder but also contributes to reductions in trait-anxiety associated with more social interaction with peers. Results suggest that some degree of physiological arousal is essential for social interaction.

PMID: 27154909

DOI: 10.1177/1362361316643623