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