Intervenciones no medicalizadas para el acompañamiento de la neurodivergencia: una revisión de alcance sobre artes marciales, música, artes visuales y danza

José Alejandro Meza Palmeros

doi:10.29105/diversia.v1i2.16

Authors

José Alejandro Meza Palmeros Centro de Investigación y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2424-7879

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29105/diversia.v1i2.16

Keywords:

neurodivergence, non-medicalized interventions, taekwondo, martial arts, music therapy, art therapy, dance movement therapy, salutogenesis

Abstract

Non-medicalized interventions based on expressive modalities have gained relevance as alternatives or complements to pharmacological and behavioral approaches for supporting neurodivergent individuals. Available evidence is scattered across multiple disciplines and lacks syntheses integrating the neurodiversity paradigm as a cross-cutting epistemological framework.

Objective: To map the scope, nature, and distribution of available empirical evidence on non-medicalized interventions based on martial arts, music and music therapy, visual arts and art therapy, and dance and expressive movement for supporting individuals with ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental variants.

Methods: Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines (Tricco et al., 2018) and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework (Peters et al., 2020). Systematic searches in six indexed databases in English and Spanish (2010–2025). Included sources were classified according to their paradigmatic orientation: deficit model, neurodiversity paradigm, or mixed approach.

Results: Twenty-seven verified sources published between 2019 and 2025 were included. The strongest evidence corresponds to music therapy for ASD. Four cross-cutting efficacy mechanisms were identified: predictable temporal structure, rhythmic scaffolding, skill development, and community experience.

Conclusions: Expressive interventions represent a promising path for the affirmative support of neurodivergent individuals. The evidence base requires greater methodological rigor, longitudinal follow-ups, and systematic inclusion of neurodivergent voices. Research in Latin American contexts represents an urgent and virtually unexplored agenda.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aithal, S., Moula, Z., Karkou, V., Karaminis, T., Powell, J., & Makris, S. (2021). Asystematic review of the contribution of dance movement psychotherapy towards the well-being of children with autism spectrum disorders. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 719673. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.719673 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.719673

Antonovsky, A. (1979). Health, stress and coping. Jossey-Bass.

Antonovsky, A. (1987). Unraveling the mystery of health: How people manage stress and stay well. Jossey-Bass.

Antonovsky, A. (1996). The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion. Health Promotion International, 11(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/11.1.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/11.1.11

Arksey, H., & O'Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

Armstrong, T. (2010). Neurodiversity: Discovering the extraordinary gifts of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other brain differences. Da Capo Press.

Bololia, L., et al. (2024). Creative arts therapy for autistic children: A systematic review. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 91, 102180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2024.102180 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2024.102224

Boutron, I., Altman, D. G., Moher, D., Schulz, K. F., & Ravaud, P. (2017). CONSORT statement for randomized trials of nonpharmacologic treatments: A 2017 update. Annals of Internal Medicine, 167(1), 40–47. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-0046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-0046

Cancer, A., Bonacina, S., Antonietti, A., Salandi, A., Molteni, M., & Lorusso, M. L. (2020). The effectiveness of interventions for developmental dyslexia: Rhythmic reading training compared with hemisphere-specific stimulation and action video games. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1158. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01158 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01158

Chan, C. H. S., et al. (2025). Protocol for evaluating the effects of integrating music with taekwondo training in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315503 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315503

Chapman, R. (2021). Neurodiversity theory and its discontents: Autism, schizophrenia, and the social model of disability. En S. Tekin & R. Bluhm (Eds.), The Bloomsbury companion to philosophy of psychiatry (pp. 371–389). Bloomsbury Academic. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350024090.ch-018

Ciaccioni, S., Castro, O., Bahrami, F., Tomporowski, P. D., Capranica, L., Biddle, S. J. H., Vergeer, I., & Pesce, C. (2024). Martial arts, combat sports, and mental health in adults: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 70, 102556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102556 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102556

Conrad, P. (2007). The medicalization of society: On the transformation of human conditions into treatable disorders. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Corrales, et al. (2023). The effects of dance movement therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Dance Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2023.2285028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2023.2285028

Cortese, S., Adamo, N., Del Giovane, C., et al. (2018). Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), 727–738. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(18)30269-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4

Costanza, C., et al. (2025a). The effectiveness of martial arts interventions in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 25(5), 1248–1254. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.5.24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.5.24

Costanza, C., et al. (2025b). Martial arts and ADHD: A narrative review of cognitive, behavioral, and epigenetic effects. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 25(3). https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.3.26 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2025.3.26

den Houting, J. (2019). Neurodiversity: An insider's perspective. Autism, 23(2), 271–273. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318820901 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318820762

Fu, X., & Shi, P. (2025). The intervention effect of structured martial arts games on behavioral impairments and motor functions in children with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1660040. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1660040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1660040

Gao, X., Xu, G., Fu, N., Ben, Q., Wang, L., & Bu, X. (2025). The effectiveness of music therapy in improving behavioral symptoms among children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1511920. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1511920 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1511920

Georgiou, G., et al. (2025). Exploring the intersection of ADHD and music: A systematic review. Behavioral Sciences, 15(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15010065 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15010065

Geretsegger, M., Fusar-Poli, L., Elefant, C., Mössler, K. A., Vitale, G., & Gold, C. (2022). Music therapy for autistic people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022(5), CD004381. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004381.pub4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004381.pub4

Kadri, A., Slimani, M., Bragazzi, N. L., Tod, D., & Azaiez, F. (2019). Effect of taekwondo practice on cognitive function in adolescents with ADHD. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(2), 204. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020204 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16020204

Ladwig, J. C., Broeckelmann, E. M., Sibley, K. M., Ripat, J., & Glazebrook, C. M. (2024). A synthesis of the characteristics of dance interventions engaging adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(10), 1954–1961. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2217384 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2217384

Ludyga, S., Mücke, M., Leuenberger, R., Bruggisser, F., Pühse, U., Gerber, M., et al. (2022). Behavioral and neurocognitive effects of judo training on working memory capacity in children with ADHD: A randomized controlled trial. NeuroImage: Clinical, 36, 103156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103156 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103156

Martín-Moratinos, M., Bella-Fernández, M., & Blasco-Fontecilla, H. (2023). Effects of music on ADHD and potential application in serious video games: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e37742. https://doi.org/10.2196/37742 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/37742

Martínez-Vérez, V., Gil-Ruíz, P., & Domínguez-Lloria, S. (2024). Interventions through art therapy and music therapy in ASD, ADHD, language disorders, and learning disabilities in pediatric-aged children: A systematic review. Children, 11(6), 706. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060706

Mayer-Benarous, H., Benarous, X., Vonthron, F., & Cohen, D. (2021). Music therapy for children with autistic spectrum disorder and/or other neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 643234. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643234

Munn, Z., Peters, M. D. J., Stern, C., Tufanaru, C., McArthur, A., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18, 143. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Peters, M. D. J., Godfrey, C., McInerney, P., Munn, Z., Tricco, A. C., & Khalil, H. (2020). Chapter 11: Scoping reviews. En E. Aromataris & Z. Munn (Eds.), JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI. https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMES-20-12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIRM-20-01

Rose, N. (2019). Our psychiatric future: The politics of mental health. Polity Press.

Shi, Z., Wang, S., Chen, M., Hu, A., Long, Q., & Lee, Y. (2024). The effect of music therapy on language communication and social skills in children with ASD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1336421. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1336421 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1336421

Sinclair, J. (1993). Don't mourn for us. Our Voice: Autism Network International Newsletter, 1(3).

Torppa, R., & Huotilainen, M. (2023). The effectiveness of music-movement integration for vulnerable groups: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1127654. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1127654 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1127654

Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., et al. (2018). PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850

Tse, A. C. Y., et al. (2024). A self-narrative study: Changes in physical ability and social communication in children with autism through taekwondo training with elements of music therapy from the parents' perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070912 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070912

Vogel, S. W., Mullins, K. L., & Kumar, S. (2024). Art therapy for children and adolescents with autism: A systematic review. International Journal of Art Therapy, 30(2), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2024.2343373 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2024.2343373

Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer heresies: Notes on the neurodiversity paradigm, autistic empowerment, and postnormal possibilities. Autonomous Press. ISBN: 978-1-945955-26-6

Wei, S., Lai, A. H. Y., & Ho, H. W. H. (2025). The effectiveness of art therapy on children and adolescents with ASD: A systematic review of RCTs. Healthcare, 13(22), 2960. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222960