Music Therapy Commons^™

Auditory Feedback Decreases Timing Variability For Discontinuous And Continuous Motor Tasks In Autistic Adults, Nicole M. Richard Williams, Luc Tremblay, Corene Hurt-Thaut, Jessica Brian, Julia Kowaleski, Kathrin Mertel, Sebastian Schlüter, Michael Thaut

Faculty Scholarship

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Introduction: Autistic individuals demonstrate greater variability and timing error in their motor performance than neurotypical individuals, likely due at least in part to atypical cerebellar characteristics and connectivity. These motor difficulties may differentially affect discrete as opposed to continuous movements in autistic individuals. Augmented auditory feedback has the potential to aid motor timing and variability due to intact auditory-motor pathways in autism and high sensitivity in autistic individuals to auditory stimuli. Methods: This experiment investigated whether there were differences in timing accuracy and variability in autistic adults as a function of task (discontinuous vs. continuous movements) and condition (augmented auditory …

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Mindfulness Through Biofeedback And Meditation Syllabus, Eric B. Miller

Open Educational Resources

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No abstract provided.

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Clinical Improvisation In Music Therapy For Children And Adolescents: A Scoping Review, Pui-Shan Yung,

Capstone Projects

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Clinical improvisation is frequently used in music therapy sessions, as a nonthreatening means to facilitate free expression and address various non-musical goals. Among the existing research on the effectiveness of clinical improvisation in children and adolescents, there was lacking a specific implementation process. This scoping review identified 5 articles on the Western Michigan University library search engine, investigating the use of clinical improvisation with children and adolescents. The studies were summarized to include participant characteristics, improvisation intervention/ methods, themes, and outcomes. The quality of intervention reporting in each article was assessed using the music-based intervention reporting criteria and listed each …

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Current To Best Practice: An Approach To Establishing A Clearinghouse, Alycia Sterenberg Mahon

Dissertations

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Clearinghouses provide a central location for evaluating and synthesizing studies to inform practice and policy. Many stakeholders rely on these clearinghouses to make evidence-based decisions for practice and research. This investigation aims to develop and evaluate a sequence of methods that fields/disciplines can use to establish a clearinghouse. Specifically, this research provides a roadmap to form a clearinghouse for music therapy (MT) intervention-based research. This work consists of three individual research studies. Each study addresses a component of how the field of MT, through a clearinghouse, can provide a solution for disseminating evidence-based practices. Study 1 provides a framework to …

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Music Performance Anxiety: Should It Be Addressed In Music Curricula And By Whom?, Kaitlynn Kamer

Honors Projects

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Music performance anxiety (MPA) impacts musicians of all skill levels, as demonstrated by existing research on both student and professional musicians. Although most musicians experience MPA, it is not formally addressed in music curriculum. This study seeks to evaluate the views and discourse around MPA in the collegiate music community through a survey of 66 college music students, 17 faculty members, and a series of secondary interviews. Through the results of the surveys and interviews, the thoughts on MPA from both the faculty and student perspective will be discussed. Upon reviewing the results of study, possible avenues for addressing MPA …

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Factors Influencing Music Therapists’ Retention Of Clinical Hours With Autistic Clients Over Telehealth During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nicole M. Richard Williams

Faculty Scholarship

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The COVID-19 pandemic influenced music therapists to migrate services to online platforms, though some lost clinical hours during the pandemic when telehealth was not a viable option. This survey study aimed to ascertain factors that helped music-based therapists to continue serving autistic clients over telehealth during the pandemic. We surveyed 193 accredited music therapists located mainly in Canada and the United States. In addition to gathering data on general perceptions of telehealth music therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT), one-way ANOVAs were applied to determine differences in percent-change loss of clinical hours for music therapists: 1) working in different employment …

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Harmonious Healing: A Review Of Music Therapy, A Humanities-Based Approach To Alzheimer’S Disease Treatment, Rohan K. Desai

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease often characterized by memory loss, confusion, and overall cognitive decline. The aging global population has, in recent years, highlighted the fundamental lack of pharmacological treatments for individuals facing an AD diagnosis. In response, a growing body of research has shifted focus to non-pharmacological humanities-based interventions. One such intervention has been music therapy (MT). Music-focused measures have shown great promise as a method of slowing cognitive decline, but mixed results in the literature warrant the need for further investigation. Often, socioeconomic barriers can limit an individual’s access to drug-related treatments, but the affordable …

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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapy Services, Joy Allen, Brian Jantz

Music and Health Research Briefs

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Music therapy in neonatal intensive care is based on over 25 years of music therapy research and clinical practice as well as cumulative knowledge of premature and newborn infant development and human responsiveness to music.

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A Remotely Delivered, Personalized Music Therapy Pilot Intervention For Lonely Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nichola R. Haddad M.D., Twisha Bhardwaj B.A., Benjamin S. Zide M.St., Hema Kher M.D., Jessica M. Lipschitz Ph.D., Maria A. Hernandez M.D., Suzanne B. Hanser Ed.D., Nancy Donovan M.D.

Faculty Works

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Introduction

This study investigated a remotely delivered, therapist-facilitated, personalized music listening intervention for community-dwelling older adults experiencing loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic. We assessed its feasibility and individuals' experiences of social connection and emotional well-being during the intervention.

Methods

Ten cognitively unimpaired older adults who endorsed loneliness completed eight weekly sessions with a board-certified music therapist via Zoom. Participants were guided in developing two online personalized music playlists and were asked to listen to playlists for at least one hour daily. Feasibility metrics were attendance, accessibility, and compliance rates. Post-study interview responses were analyzed using a rapid qualitative methodology. Exploratory …

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Editorial: Music Therapy In Geriatrics, Volume Ii, Suzanne B. Hanser, Amy Clements-Cortés, Melissa Mercadal-Brotons, Concetta Maria Tomaino

Faculty Works

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No abstract provided.

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Examining The Efficacy Of Music-Applied Therapies On The Upper Extremity Of Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Haley Galvis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

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Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain, which ultimately results in necrotic cell death. This pathological cascade has ramifications in neurological motor, sensory, and behavior deficits. Recent research has used a therapeutic application of music as a vehicle to improve motor function of post-stroke patients. Music-supported therapy is a newer class of music therapy that works to improve motor function through a standardized program of keyboard and drum exercises, and it is continuing to be integrated into the field of rehabilitation.

This study aims to search areas …

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Exploring How Music Therapy Can Support Transition-Aged Young Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: An Adapted Multiple Case Study, Hayley Davis

Theses and Dissertations--Music

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Young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) face barriers and challenges after their transition from high school to their post-high school lives. While in high school, a student with IDD receives support and services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, but once a student with IDD graduates high school, they no longer have access to the services that they were once receiving. While this phenomenon (often referred to as the “disability cliff”) has been examined, there is a lack of research surrounding the perspectives and lived experiences of young adults with IDD. Furthermore, there is very limited research …

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Humor Matters: An Adapted Multiple Case Study Exploring Music Therapists’ Perspectives Of Humor With Older Adults, Caleb M. Posey

Theses and Dissertations--Music

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Humor is a ubiquitous human experience and a skill retained in older adulthood. It is also an integral but elusive therapeutic tool with numerous benefits and risks to well-being. Therapeutic humor – the application of humor to client well-being – is an emerging area of study. However, scant music therapy literature on humor is available. The purpose of this qualitative thesis was to explore the use and function of humor in music therapy with older adults from the perspectives of experienced music therapists. There were three research questions: (1) how do music therapists describe their use of humor with older …

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Understanding The Effects Of Hormone Treatments On The Transgender Singer: A Pedagogical Study And Voice Studio Guide, Erin M. Hannon

Theses and Dissertations--Music

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Transitioning from one gender to another can be an arduous and emotionally charged experience, accompanied by many physical and mental transformations. The journey of self-discovery and vocal explorations is both unique and deeply personal. Modifications that emerge in an individual's vocal characteristics have a profound influence on their capacity to communicate and express themselves.

Transgender vocal students and professional singers must navigate the delicate balance between their vocal and gender identities while considering the possible risks of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. Though these therapies may significantly alter one's appearance and overall well-being, they are also capable of causing notable declines …

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Formative Musical Experiences Of Older Adult Sexual Minority Women From Rural Areas: An Adapted Case Study, Sabrina Hartsfield

Theses and Dissertations--Music

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People often have strong emotional connections between music and memories, which can affect a person’s identity and self-concept. The deep meaning that individuals find within music that is important to them helps music therapists to make connections to clients and to work with clients to understand their experiences through the lens of music. The purpose of this project was to examine in depth the musical experiences of sexual minority women aged 65 and older from rural areas, and to see how musical experiences may have impacted their identity. In this adapted case study, I conducted in-depth one-on-one interviews and constructed …

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Expert Perceptions Of Needs Of Pregnant Individuals With Substance Use Disorder In Kentucky: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study, Emma Foret Latham

Theses and Dissertations--Music

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Substance misuse is a pandemic with far reaching effects on those personally affected, their families, and their communities. Kentucky has one of the highest rates of substance use disorder (SUD) in the country, and most research has focused on how to help men in recovery. There is very little research regarding how to support pregnant individuals with SUD. The purpose of this qualitative thesis was to identify the perceived needs of pregnant individuals with SUD, define characteristics of effective care, and learn how music therapists can support this population in substance use rehabilitation settings from the perspectives of experienced professionals. …

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Community And Cultural-Centered Music Therapy With The Boys & Girls Club: A Qualitative Case Study, Moriah Treadwell

Music Therapy Theses

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COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL-CENTERED MUSIC THERAPY WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB: A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY

Abstract

Music therapy with The Boys & Girls Club of a rural area of middle Georgia would create a positive outlet for the youth to delve into an experience that would create worthwhile opportunities for them outside of their everyday routine, while implementing coping mechanisms, self-actualizing habits, and social benefits. With the implementation of music therapy used in The Boys & Girls Club of The Big Bend, this population would be exposed to not only a therapy that they are not accustomed to, but they …

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Editorial: Perspectives On Music And Pain: From Evidence To Theory And Application, Annabel J. Cohen, Andrea Mcgraw Hunt, Eduardo A. Garza-Villarreal, Xuejing Lu

College of Performing Arts Departmental Research

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No abstract provided.

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Music And Academics: The Ultimate Mashup?, Emmah Keller

BUHealth

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Music surrounds us. It is a significant part of our daily lives. People listen to music in a variety of settings and for multiple reasons. Students often listen to music while studying, in hopes of increasing productivity. Others listen to music as a way to relax before an exam. Yet...is there proof that music is beneficial for academic performance? Research shows that music and academics is a good mashup. Study after study reveals that music has several benefits for students. It reduces anxiety, improves focus and concentration, and enhances cognition. These all result in improved academic performance. So, students who …

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The Bereaved Songwriters' Project, Laura A. Figueroa

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

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The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to evaluate bereaved individuals’ responses to a reflective songwriting program intervention (RSPI). The purposive and convenient sample included 30 bereaved adults who were members of the teaching staff at a private, Christian, K-12 school in the southeastern United States and/or past or present members of the church with which the school was affiliated. The researcher developed a simple and succinct RSPI in which study participants were prompted to create an original musical piece using personal reflections, memories, and descriptions in song form to commemorate a deceased loved one. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being …

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