Music Therapy Commons^™

Music Therapy To Sever The Silence Of A Childhood Holocaust Survivor, Amy Clements-Cortés

Music Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Music Therapy Versus General Classroom Instruction On The Social Skills Of A Preschooler On The Autism Spectrum In An Inclusive Setting, Rachel A. Crawford

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of music therapy on the development of the social skills of a preschooler on the autism spectrum in an inclusive setting. The study was performed in an inclusive preschool classroom at the Ben Samuels Children’s Center on the campus of Montclair State University. A literature review related to this topic included information on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the etiology of the disorder and the use of music therapy in the inclusive school setting with students on the autism spectrum. The review also covered the effect music therapy has on …

Undergraduate Music Therapy Students’ Experiences As Clients In Short-Term Group Music Therapy, Nancy A. Jackson, Susan Gardstrom

Department of Music Faculty Publications

This report highlights a collaborative, phenomenological study undertaken by two faculty researchers from different undergraduate music therapy training programs in the Midwest. A total of nine junior and senior music therapy students from both programs (five from one, four from the other) were involved in short-term group music therapy, participating in three two-hour sessions during the course of an academic semester. Sessions were facilitated by the researchers, both of whom were board-certified music therapists.

To ensure ethical treatment, each researcher led sessions with the students from the other university, with whom they had no dual relationships. Student participants were involved …

Music Therapy Within The Context Of Psychotherapeutic Models, Mary Scovel, Susan Gardstrom

Department of Music Faculty Publications

Music therapy clinical practice occurs at various levels. Wheeler (1983) has classified the treatment of adults with mental disorders into three types: music therapy as an activity therapy; insight music therapy with re-educative goals; and insight music therapy with reconstructive goals.

Activity-based therapy is aimed at helping the client reach observable, measurable goals through various forms of music experiences. In contrast, the two remaining levels focus on facilitation of change through personal insight gained via musical experiences and verbalization about those experiences. Insight-based music therapy processes are ordinarily more intense and prolonged, in that deep emotions are evoked, and in …

The Effect Of Pre-­Meal, Vocal Re-Creative Music Therapy On Nutritional Intake Of Residents With Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias: A Pilot Study, Larisa Mchugh, Susan Gardstrom, James Hiller, Megan Brewer, Wiebke S. Diestelkamp

Department of Music Faculty Publications

Singing has long been credited with a wide variety of physical, mental, and social health benefits (Hunter, 1999). Recent scientific inquiry points to the efficacy of singing toward enhanced cardiovascular and pulmonary performance (Bonilha, Onofre, Vieira, Prado, & Martinex, 2009), verbal communication (Wan, Ruber, Hohmann, & Schlaug, 2010), and immune functioning and attendant affective states (Kreutz, Bongard, Rohrmann, Hodapp, & Grebe, 2004; Kuhn, 2002; Unwin, Kenny, & Davis, 2002).

Among older adults, singing has been linked with improved mood, better quality of life, greater happiness, stress reduction, and emotional well-being (Clift et al., 2010).

In our own work, we have …

Musical Echolalia And Non-Verbal Children With Autism, Krystal Leah Demaine

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Typical imitation skills that are integral to language and social learning do not readily develop in children with autism. Echolalia, an echoing or imitation of speech sounds, has historically been considered a non-meaningful form verbal imitation. Since music is intrinsically more meaningful than language for children with autism, musical echolalia may offer path to communication for non-verbal children with autism. This research study sought to identify a potential existence of musical echolalia among nonverbal children with autism. Twelve non-verbal children diagnosed with classic autism, six boys and six girls, aged four to eight, who had no formal musical training or …

Examining Multicultural Competency Education In The Creative Arts Therapies, Donna C. Owens

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

In the changing landscape of the United States, the skills and competencies of helping professionals must continue to address the unique needs of its various populations. As a growing field, the creative arts therapies must adopt multicultural values and standards necessary to remain competitive and relevant.

This study addressed the issue of multicultural counseling competency training in the creative arts therapies from three perspectives: the governing association, the training institution, and the student/trainee. Throughout this study the term creative arts therapies includes art, dance/movement, drama, expressive arts, music, poetry, and psychodrama.

Information concerning the associations for each of the seven …

Implications Of Embodied Cognition And Schema Theory For Discerning Potential Meanings Of Improvised Rhythm, James Hiller

Books and Book Chapters by University of Dayton Faculty

Rhythm is an essential and therefore indispensable aspect of all music. Arguably, rhythmic elements are the most accessible of all the musical elements for clients in music therapy to produce and manipulate expressively (Hiller, 2011). Yet, theoretical understanding of rhythm and its use in musical expression is a neglected area of both music therapy (Bunt, 1994; Daveson & Skewes, 2002) and musicological inquiry (Gabrielsson, 1993; Kramer, 1988; Mead, 1999). However, the area of psychological investigation known as “embodied cognition” or “schema theory,” which has been constructively applied to composed tonal music, may prove fruitful in deepening our understanding of potential …

Exploring The Musical Culture Of An African American Child With Developmental Disabilities In Group Music Therapy, Meghan Cork

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the musical culture of an African American child with developmental disabilities in group music therapy. Qualitative methods were employed in an early childhood education setting. First, interview questions were sent home to parents and guardians of participants regarding music in the home, and music examples were analyzed based on the genres reported in the interview answers. Then, one session of four male participants with developmental disabilities, ages 4-5, was conducted and analyzed. The participants were African American, Hispanic, Pakistani, and Caucasian ethnicities. The researcher focused on the African American …

Orff-Schulwerk For Music Therapists, Brittney Butts Grant

Music Therapy Theses

When using the term "Orff Music Therapy," the assumption is made that the person conducting the lesson or session is a music therapist. Conversely, one assume that the person leading an Orff-Schulwerk lesson is an educator. A major difference between Orff-Schulwerk and Orff Music Therapy is the goal of the lesson or session. The goal of Orff-Schulwerk is music education. The goal of an Orff Music Therapy session is usually non-musical, such as working on motor control or increasing attention span. In order to fully reach the whole child, teachers and therapists should take into account a secondary focus to …

All I Am: Defining Music As An Emotional Catalyst Through A Sociological Study Of Emotions, Gender And Culture, Adrienne M. Trier-Bieniek

Dissertations

This dissertation, "'All I Am': Defining Music as an Emotional Catalyst through a Sociological Study of Emotions, Gender and Culture", is based in the sociology of emotions, gender and culture and guided by symbolic interactionist and feminist standpoint theory. A primary focus is on understanding the emotional and empowering relationships women build with music that is written and performed by women, especially if they are using the music for emotional support or as a means to heal themselves. This study examines the cultural, emotional and gendered role music plays in day-to-day social life using data collected during forty-two semi-structured interviews …

Exploring The Relationship Between Therapeutic Voice Work And Duration Of Held Tone, Tone Quality, And Volume With School-Aged Children Diagnosed With Asthma, Susanne N. Kobb

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Asthma is one of the most prevalent diseases diagnosed in young children today, and has been the focus of many research studies in the medical field. Despite recent breakthroughs in medical research, children are still suffering from asthma symptoms in their daily routines and lifestyles. Because asthma is directly connected to one’s breath and lung function, focus has shifted in recent years to include alternative medicines such as breathing techniques, yoga, and music. This thesis reviews the sparse literature on music and relaxation techniques - most specifically the use of voice and breath - as it relates to asthma, in …

The Development And Establishment Of A Pre-School Music Therapy Program, Tracey Lee Rosen

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into how a music therapist can develop and establish a music therapy program in the school setting. An experienced Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board Certified-Music Therapist, who began a music therapy program, was the sole participant in this study. The participant was interviewed a total of three times. The researcher asked open-ended questions regarding the history of how the participant developed and maintains her current music therapy program. The literature regarding the topic is scant, suggesting the need for studies to be conducted regarding this topic. The researcher extricated themes …

Theoretical Orientations Applied By Music Therapists Working In Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Settings, Angel A. Park

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the theoretical framework (i.e., cognitive behavior, psychodynamic, humanistic) used by music therapists during group music therapy sessions for adults residing in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Three participants were interviewed via Skype. A descriptive analysis was used to identify each participant’s theoretical orientations, methods of assessment, treatment, and evaluation, while his or her perspective on the benefits and challenges of implementing each respective theoretical orientation was also noted. The results showed that regardless of theoretical orientation, all participants use improvisation to assess and evaluate clients’ progress for treatment. Each theoretical orientation inherently contains its …

Music Therapy And Culture: Exploring My Culture And Its Influences, Midori Tsujimoto

Theses & Dissertations

With the rapidly growing cultural diversity in the United States, scholars have emphasized the importance of not only understanding other cultures, but also one’s own. It has become essential to evaluate the influence of one’s cultural background as he/she evolves a healthcare professional. Utilizing the method of self-inquiry, this paper explores my own cultural background and how it has shaped the way I work as a music therapist. Cultural differences between Japan and America are discussed, including disparities in social systems, music, and health. Two clinical case examples are presented to illustrate my experiences in relation to my cultural influences. …

An Exploration Of Mindfulness In My Music Therapy Sessions With A Child With Suggest Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kimberly Lau

Theses & Dissertations

This is a self-awareness qualitative research study in which the researcher explored the essence and realization of mindfulness that occurred during her music therapy sessions with a child with suggested autism. Due to the range of emotions she felt from her therapeutic relationship with the student, she was inspired to look into the practice of mindfulness to deepen self-understanding, develop self-awareness, and be more present in the sessions. Themes/motifs and feelings/emotions that emerged during the musical moments were identified by analyzing logs and analytic memos. The researcher chronicled her continuing revelation and formal and informal practices of mindfulness and how …

Music For Quality Of Life: Huntington Grant Proposal, Lauren A. Klimek

Theses & Dissertations

The following grant proposal is directed towards opening a music therapy program for the Don Monti Cancer Center at Huntington Hospital. Huntington Hospital is a small community hospital with twenty-five beds on their oncology unit with one attending palliative care doctor. In meeting with the palliative doctor, Dr. Joseph Milano, I learned that there is a great need for music therapy on the oncology unit as well as on the palliative team. Dr. Milano expressed concern in being the only palliative care doctor on the unit often limiting the time he gets to spend in caring for each of his …

Effects Of Vocal Toning And Bio Acoustics Assessment On Pain And Bio Acoustics Vocal Profile, Crista Marie Orefice

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The objective of this research study was to investigate the effects of vocal toning interventions informed by a BioAcoustics assessment tool on the perceived pain and the vocal profile in a participant diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The study employed a single case study design. The participant (N=l) was a woman diagnosed with fibromyalgia, who underwent a series of ten 25-minute music therapy treatments of vocal toning, twice a week, for five weeks. Vocal profile was recorded and measured with the BioAcoustics nano Voice program for each session, pre- and post-treatment. Perceived pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire …

Personal Therapy For Undergraduate Music Therapy Students: A Survey Of Amta Program Coordinators, Susan Gardstrom, Nancy A. Jackson

Department of Music Faculty Publications

The primary purpose of this study was to gather information in order to understand if and how various modalities of personal therapy are employed with undergraduate music therapy students in the United States, AMTA degree program coordinators were asked about 3 therapy modalities, in particular: verbal therapy, music therapy, and expressive arts therapy (excluding music therapy).

It was predicted that less than a quarter of the respondents would indicate that personal therapy of any modality was required in their undergraduate curricula, but that a larger percentage would indicate that it was encouraged. Both hypotheses were supported, with just over 14% …

Conversations From The Classroom: Reflections On Feminist Music Therapy Pedagogy In Teaching Music Therapy, Nicole Hahna

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

Four music therapy educators participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews as part of a qualitative study. The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomena of feminist pedagogy as experienced by music therapy educators using phenomenological inquiry. The study examined the following research questions: (a) do music therapy educators use feminist music therapy pedagogy in teaching music therapy, (b) if so, how do they use feminist music therapy pedagogy, (c) what is their experience in using feminist music therapy pedagogy, and (d) how do feminist music therapy educators define their use of feminist pedagogy in undergraduate and graduate music therapy …