Music Therapy During Dental Procedures in Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Music Therapy to Improve Dental Procedure Tolerance and Reduce Distress in Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities may experience behavioral distress, sensory sensitivity, and difficulty tolerating dental procedures. This pilot randomized controlled trial will compare live music therapy delivered by a board certified music therapist with recorded music during non emergency dental procedures performed under local anesthesia. Approximately 50 participants will be enrolled to obtain 40 evaluable participants randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of live music therapy and its preliminary effects on behavioral cooperation, procedural distress, physiological responses, completion of dental treatment without escalation to sedation, and procedure duration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults (≥18 years) with a documented I/DD, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability, ADHD, or other DSM-5-defined neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Frankl Behavioral Rating Scale score of Negative (3) or Definitely Negative (4) at baseline assessment.
• English as primary language.
• Scheduled for non-emergency dental procedure with local anesthesia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unwillingness to participate or refusal to provide informed consent
• Legal inability to consent
• Disinterest in or refusal of music therapy intervention
• Scheduled for pharmacological sedation