Inclusive Orchestral Music Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Strategic Insights -

Research has shown that music-based interventions may engage neural networks to improve executive function, language, and socio-emotional skills in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. A new study proposes a clinically adapted orchestral framework, called the IncluSive Orchestral mUsic therapy accordiNg to the euterpe methoD (I-SOUND), to integrate individual music therapy, orchestral music therapy, and a multidirectional and iterative transfer process. The framework aims to target specific neurofunctional domains and explore generalization to everyday contexts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The I-SOUND framework is a clinically adapted orchestral framework for music therapy, designed to target specific neurofunctional domains and explore generalization to everyday contexts.
  • The framework consists of three complementary modules: Individual Music Therapy (IMT), Orchestral Music Therapy (OMT), and Multidirectional and Iterative Transfer Process (MIT-P).
  • The I-SOUND framework is based on the progressive refinement of the Euterpe Method and the pediatric EM Active algorithm.
  • A two-phase evaluation is planned to assess the framework's feasibility, fidelity, sustainability, and clinical applicability in heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder populations.
  • Particular attention is given to the methodological challenge of balancing ethical inclusion with internal validity.
  • The framework requires empirical verification before clinical conclusions can be drawn.
  • The study's authors include Tommaso Liuzzi, Fiammetta D'Arienzo, Susanna Staccioli, Rita Faraj Slaiby, Maroun Bou Sleiman Harb, Miled Tarabay, Roberto Giuliani, Teresa Chirico, Donatella Lettori, and Enrico Castelli.

Statistics:

  • The I-SOUND framework is designed to integrate three complementary modules: Individual Music Therapy (IMT), Orchestral Music Therapy (OMT), and Multidirectional and Iterative Transfer Process (MIT-P).
  • The framework is intended to target specific neurofunctional domains and explore generalization to everyday contexts.
  • A two-phase evaluation is planned, consisting of an observational study followed by a randomized controlled trial.
  • The study aims to assess the framework's feasibility, fidelity, sustainability, and clinical applicability in heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder populations.

Sources:

  • Inclusive orchestral music therapy according to the Euterpe Method: a multimodal framework for neurodevelopmental disorders. Frontiers in Neurology, 2025, 16.
  • Frontiers Media S.A., publisher of Frontiers in Neurology (http://frontiersin.org/neurology).
  • https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1612955.