Effect of Combined Music and Taekwondo Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effect of Combined Music and Taekwondo Training on the Psychological and Physical Condition of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of combined music and taekwondo training on the mental and physical condition of children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants will be asked to do combined music and taekwondo training or taekwondo training alone to evaluate if the combined training is better than the taekwondo training alone on mental and physical performance for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chinese children aged 7 to 9 years who have been clinically diagnosed as ASD by developmental paediatricians or clinical psychologists based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for ASD.

Exclusion Criteria:

• children who have experience in Taekwondo training;
• children who have received music therapy within the previous 12 months;
• those who have severe sensory disorders (blindness or deafness);
• those who have underlying congenital abnormalities or other diseases that limit their ability to engage in physical activities.