Effects of Massage and Attachment Promotion Program on Social Maturity, Child Autism and Attachment of Children with Autism and Their Mothers

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate effects of massage therapy and the attachment promotion program with autistic children. Method: A quasi-experimental design was conducted with a convenience sample of 44 autistic children. The experimental group (n= 23) attended the massage therapy and the attachment promotion program for 4 months. The control group (n=21) only had the attachment promotion program. Measurements were made twice for both groups using the social maturity scale and child autism rating scale. Recording of mother-child attachment was done for 15 minutes in only the experimental group twice using video equipment. Results: After 4 months of interventions, there was significant difference on social maturity (F=9.01, p=.005) between the groups. However, there was no significant difference on CARS ((F=2.47, p=.124). The total scores of mother-child attachment between pre- and post-interventions showed a significant difference (Z=-3.42, p=.001). Conclusion: The results showed that massage therapy and the attachment promotion program might be an effective way for providing a chance to increase social maturation and to increase attachment between mother and autistic child.