Reducing hypersensitivity in autistic spectrum disorder:
Preliminary findings evaluating the listening project protocol (a precursor to the Safe and Sound protocol)
The study “Reducing Auditory Hypersensitivities in Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Preliminary Findings Evaluating the Listening Project Protocol” examines the effectiveness of the Listening Project Protocol (LPP) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to reduce auditory hypersensitivities. LPP is designed to improve the neural regulation of the middle ear muscles, which is essential for the processing of human speech and social communication. The study consists of two tests in which the LPP is compared with control groups.
Most important points:
1. Participants: Children with ASD diagnosis without history of seizures. The trials consisted of different groups: a filtered music group and control groups (headphones without music in Trial I, unfiltered music in Trial II).
2. Intervention: The intervention consisted of five sessions of approximately 45 minutes per day, during which participants listened to acoustic stimulation through headphones. LPP used filtered music to train the neural regulation of the middle ear.1. Participants: Children with ASD diagnosis without history of seizures. The trials consisted of different groups: a filtered music group and control groups (headphones without music in Trial I, unfiltered music in Trial II).
3. Measurements: Improvements were assessed via parental questionnaires and behavioral assessments. The focus was on changes in auditory sensitivity, speech, and social interaction.
4. Results Trial I: Compared to the headset group, the LPP group showed significant improvements in auditory sensitivity, spontaneous speech, listening, and behavioral organization.
5. Results Trial II: Compared to the unfiltered music group, the LPP group showed significant improvements in auditory sensitivity and emotional control. The effects on spontaneous speech, listening, and behavioral organization appeared related to listening to music, regardless of filtering.
6. Outcome: The study supports the effectiveness of LPP in reducing auditory sensitivity in children with ASD. These results are in line with the polyvagal theory. The unique contribution of LPP appears to be the reduction of auditory hypersensitivity, with concomitant improvements in social behavior in children who show improvement.
7. Limitations: The study relied on subjective parental reports and was subject to several variables such as other treatments children received. Furthermore, the participants were young and severely affected by ASD, which may affect the general applicability of the results.
8. Future Directions: Future research should focus on further validating LPP and understanding the underlying mechanisms, possibly through objective measurements of middle ear function.
Questions to Consider:
1. How does LPP influence the neural regulation of the middle ear in children with ASD and how does this contribute to improvements in auditory sensitivity and social behavior?
2. Can the results of this study be applied to older or less severely affected children with ASD?
3. How can future studies integrate objective measurement of middle ear function to further investigate and validate the effectiveness of LPP?
Stephen W. Porges, Olga V. Bazhenova, Elgiz Bal, Nancy Carlson, Yevgeniya Sorokin, Keri J. Heilman, Edwin H. Cook and Gregory F. Lewis
Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2014; 2:80
In a second peer-reviewed study, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who used an early version of the SSP experienced significant improvements in emotional organization, listening, spontaneous speech, and auditory sensitivities.
