Effectiveness of Fabric Weaving Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of weaving therapy on clinical outcomes and quality of life of autistic children. Setting/Location:Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Interventions:Weaving therapy was performed weekly for 6 months (3 months for hospital-based intervention and 3 months for home-based intervention). Outcome measures:Childhood Autism Rating Scale—second edition (CARS-2) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were measured at preintervention, 3 and 6 months postintervention. Methods:Twenty-three autistic children, aged 7.8–16.6 years, were randomized into an intervention group (N = 11) and a 3-month waitlist period group (N = 12). Ten weaving sessions were performed by the children, along with their parents, weekly for 3 months in hospital, and continued at home for an additional 3 months. The weaving therapy was delayed for 3 months in the waitlist group, followed by a 6-month intervention as the intervention group. Results:There was significant improvement on CARS-2 (p < 0.01) and PedsQL scores (p < 0.01) in the intervention group after the first 3-month weaving therapy. Meanwhile, in the waitlist group, no significant difference was found on CARS-2 (p = 0.09) and PedsQL scores (p = 0.26) during no weaving period. After the waitlist group began weaving therapy for 3 months, the authors found a significant improvement on both CARS-2 and PedsQL scores (p < 0.01both). Between-group comparisons showed that the intervention group had significant improvement on CARS-2 (p = 0.002) and PedsQL (p < 0.001) after 3-month weaving comparing with the waitlist group. After all the 23 participants finished a 6-month weaving therapy, there was significant difference in CARS-2 (p < 0.001) and PedsQL scores (p < 0.001) between pre- and postintervention. Conclusions:These findings suggest that traditional Thai fabric weaving therapy, as an alternative and complementary intervention, appears to be an effective therapy in improving the clinical symptoms and quality of life among autistic children.Clinical Trial Registration number: TCTR20200420002