Psychometric analysis of the Nordoff-Robbins Scales as an instrument of evaluation in the Music Therapy treatment of autistic children in follow up in the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG)

Abstract

Music Therapy treatment, ascending form of treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, has been demonstrating efficacy for patients with autism or autistic characteristics. The therapeutic goals include improvement in communication and speech, and positive changes in behavior. Among the available resources to measure the clinical outcomes, there are two scales developed in the Nordoff Robbins approach (NR) that evaluate Musical Communicability and Client-Therapist Relationship. By using these scales, a blind analysis of video recordings from the first and last session of children with autism that received Music Therapy at HC-UFMG was conducted to verify inter-examiner reliability. These scales were also compared with other instrument of assessment: Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and Improvisational Assessment Profiles (IAPs) to verify concurrent validity. A good inter-examiner reliability was found along with improvements in vocal musical communicability and body movement communicability in the intervention group. There were also observed a moderate correlation between the NR scales, CARS, and ATEC; and a strong correlation between NR scales and IAPs.