Music Therapy Commons^™

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

Dissertations

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 …

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

Capstone Projects

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 …

Music Therapy Interventions And Their Outcomes On Hematology And Oncology Patients, And Outpatient Groups, Alexandra Paque

Honors Theses

There is a variety of research published about the use of music therapy interventions and their outcomes for the pediatric hematology-oncology and outpatient groups, however the research is not combined to put together a description of the most effective interventions utilized in one place. This scoping review addressed the questions of what music therapy interventions are used in the pediatric hematology/oncology and outpatient settings, and what the outcomes of music therapy were respectively. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to determine what articles to include in the review. Three databases including Google Scholar, WMU Library, and PubMed were searched to …

Outcomes Of Music Improvisation Experiences: A Scoping Review, Julia Mccarren

Masters Theses

Music improvisation is a therapeutic music intervention utilized frequently by board-certified music therapists in various clinical settings. While music therapists frequently use music improvisation as a treatment intervention, research on music improvisation outcomes is limited. The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize current knowledge about the outcomes of music improvisation experiences in music therapy and non-music therapy contexts. This review aims to identify and address gaps in the literature to provide suggestions for future research. The findings of this review will inform clinical music therapy methods. To conduct the scoping review, the researcher used the following five-stage framework: …

The Neuroanatomical, Neurochemical, And Phenomenological Correlates Of Social Bonding, Empathy, And Flow In Music Improvisation, Edward A. Roth

Dissertations

The three studies in this dissertation explore the biological and phenomenological under-pinnings of music improvisation related to bonding, empathy, and flow. Musical improvisation is a multi-dimensional behavior encompassing motor, cognitive, affective, and often social domains, and as such, it is reasonable to consider that music improvisation shares many characteristics with other forms of non-musical extemporaneous behavior, such as carrying on a verbal dialogue. The primary aims of this three-study dissertation were to (1) determine the feasibility of the study designs and interdisciplinary methods; (2) examine potential differences in the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological correlates of improvisation between non-musicians and musicians; and …

The Role Of Music In The Trauma Narrative And “Storytelling”: Perspectives Of Clinicians, Taylorlyn N. Mehnert

Masters Theses

There is a lack of detailed literature describing how music is used for expressing and processing the trauma narrative. This study used a constructivist grounded theory approach through an anti-oppressive lens to explore the ways in which music therapists use music in exploring clients’ stories. The term “story” is used as opposed to “narrative” or “memory” to incorporate a broader definition of expression including non-verbal, musical, metaphorical, or any other method the client chooses. Eight board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) were interviewed regarding their use of music in the context of clients’ stories. Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis was used …

The Effect Of Synchronous And Asynchronous Music On Heart Rate Variability And Mental State Among Runners, Jeni Gustafson

Masters Theses

The primary purpose of this N-of-1 study was to examine whether running to synchronous, asynchronous, and no music affected the physiological measure of heart rate variability (HRV) and the perceptual measures of rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and experience of flow state while running. In this study, the term synchronous referred to music that is set at a tempo where running pace can synchronize to each beat. The term asynchronous referred to music set at a tempo where it is not possible to synchronize the running pace to each beat. A chest belt that measured heart rate variability via RR …

The Solution Within The Work: A Scoping Review On Vicarious Resilience, Bridget Sova

Capstone Projects

The occurrence of burnout amongst healthcare workers and other helping professionals is a persistent problem, despite efforts made by individuals and organizations to prevent countertransference and the accompanying negative personal experiences. Vicarious resilience is a relatively new concept, highlighting the benefits one may experience from professional encounters with those who have survived trauma or other difficult life circumstances. Previous research detailing the personal effects of trauma work is predominantly negative, warning of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. This scoping review examines emerging evidence on vicarious resilience, featuring a more hopeful outlook for helping professionals. Recommendations from the …

Effects Of Music And Meditative Movement On Affect And Flow: A Feasibility Study, Lai Yiu Yeung

Masters Theses

This study aims to explore the feasibility and the potential effects of adding music to meditative movement on affect and flow. Fifteen participants were recruited and they were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: (1) Meditative movement only; (2) Recorded music and meditative movement; and (3) Live music and meditative movement. Participants from each group engaged individually in a 45-minute online session, practicing three qigong exercise sets. To determine the feasibility, the acceptability and practicality were investigated through the analysis of anecdotal notes, open-ended questionnaires, and video recordings. Potential effects of music and meditative movement were examined by …

Healing The Mind And Soul With Art And Music, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Gracie Fisher, an artist and composer based in Santa Barbara, California, provided the cover art for the Fall 2020 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “The Fruit of Spirit” is a 16” x 20” oil painting on canvas. When a rare neurologic condition left Gracie paralyzed from the neck down, art and music helped to heal her mind and soul. Upon returning home from the hospital, Gracie’s wish was to create an inclusive environment where children of all abilities could engage in art and music. She founded the Grace Fisher Foundation so others could experience the healing …

Singing With Strangers: A Feasibility Study Examining The Effect Of Interpersonal Familiarity On Social Bonding During Group Singing, Molly Grettenberger

Masters Theses

Social isolation and loneliness have become major health concerns in today’s world, and the healthcare field needs effective approaches to ameliorating the effects of social isolation and loneliness and increasing opportunities for social bonding. Group singing may be one such approach. This feasibility study focused specifically on interpersonal familiarity during shortterm, small-group singing and its effect on the subjective experience of social bonding. A between-groups design and group interviews were used to examine the subjective experience of social bonding resulting from singing. Two groups of four, including one familiar group and one group of strangers, engaged in a brief group …

Potential Implications For Music Therapy On Nursing Assessment Of Patients With Dementia In Hospice, Kamilla Akmuradova

Masters Theses

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) display symptoms that cause disturbances in memory, learning, language, motor ability, and behavior. Hospice medical professionals frequently experience difficulty when performing any treatment physical in nature, such as conducting a physical assessment, changing a wound dressing and wound care, and administering medications, since patients with (AD) often exhibit symptoms of agitation, anxiety, and combative behaviors before and during procedures. In addition, complex communication and cognitive impairments cause challenges with assessment and intervention planning. Music as a complex auditory modality can enhance state of alertness, physical movement, facial expressions, physiological responses (e.g., heart rate), and communication …

The Use Of Music Therapy Towards Social Development In Children With Disabilities: A Rapid Review, Yuanyuan Bai

Masters Theses

Across the world, many music therapists serve children with disabilities in private practice and school settings. Although some clinical research for music therapy as a validated approach to facilitate social deficits is available, it is still limited. This study is focused on a rapid review of using music therapy towards social development in children with disabilities. Also explored is the researcher’s self-awareness of what was learned from the study and how these lessons may be transferred to future clinical work. The study's findings may also help music therapy professionals better understand (a) what aspects of social behavior music therapists tend …

Research-Based Music Composition For Anxiety Reduction, Carly Crusius

Honors Theses

The following undergraduate honors thesis utilizes the Therapeutic Function of Music (TFM) Plan worksheet conceived by Dr. Deanna Hanson-Abromeit as a template to guide research and analysis for how the musical elements should be structured to support the goal of anxiety reduction for college-aged students. Anxiety is a mental health concern that is prevalent among college students due to the variety of social, environmental, and academic stressors that affect their day-to-day lives. The TFM was established to provide transparency and a common language within the field of music therapy and beyond when discussion the elements of music. Research was conducted …

Psychophysiology In Relation To Music And Behavior, Chloe Heintz

Honors Theses

This thesis was based off of my experience as a research assistant in a study conducted by principle investigator Edward Roth and student investigator Alycia Sterenberg entitled “The determinants of affect, emotional arousal, and autobiographical memories on music-evoked nostalgia.” Roth and Sterenberg investigated the relationship between nostalgic music, autobiographical memories, and the physiological response of electrodermal activity (EDA). This was done by recruiting 30 college students between the ages of 18-28 to listen to music based off of five songs they listed as being nostalgic to them. They would then rate how familiar, nostalgic, and enjoyable each song was, in …

The Use Of Neurologic Music Therapy And Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation As Treatment For Parkinson’S Disease, Shaima Shebrain

Honors Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, is common in people who are 50 years of age or older. It is characterized by the loss of function of the substantia nigra in producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows for smooth and coordinated movement. Due to the lack of dopamine, an individual with PD experiences involuntary and stiff movements such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and abnormal gait patterns along with other motor symptoms. Over the years, the motor symptoms that are associated with PD progressively worsen; thus, limiting the individual’s independency and ability to perform daily tasks. Those with …

Nostalgia And Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memories: Salience And Content In Musicians Vs. Non-Musicians, Taylorlyn Mehnert

Honors Theses

This paper examines a subsection of data from a larger study conducted by Alycia Sterenberg titled, “The determinants of affect, emotional arousal, and autobiographical memories on music-evoked nostalgia”. The question being examined was: when examining musicians and non-musicians, what difference is there in the intensity of nostalgic memories between the two groups; what elements of a memory are either group more likely to be nostalgic about when listening to music they have labeled as nostalgic for themselves? The data was acquired from questionnaires participants filled out after listening to music generated to be similar to that which they had labeled …

Music Evoked Nostalgia And Mood States, Bailey Schulte

Honors Theses

This study was in collaboration with the study titled “The determinants of affect, emotional arousal, and autobiographical memories” by principle investigator, Edward Roth, and student investigator Alycia Sterenberg. It addresses two questions examining the impact that music evoked nostalgia has on mood states and if this difference varies between musicians and non-musicians. The study included 19 participants ranging in age from 18-28 and used a multilevel model design. Participants completed a Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) pre and post listening to nostalgia evoking music. Results revealed a decrease in negative affect pre to post-test, also showing a difference between …

The Effect Of Patterned Sensory Enhancement On Balance And Ambulation In Persons Diagnosed With Parkinson’S Disease, Brittany Barko

Masters Theses

One rehabilitation protocol effective in delaying the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is Lee Silverman Voice Training BIG (LSVT BIG), comprising pre-gait exercises and gait training. This study seeks to determine if combining Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE), a music therapy intervention, with LSVT BIG will improve quality of movement. During physical therapy sessions with three participants, a music therapist adapted the PSE stimuli to support each patient’s motor needs, which were then recorded on CD and sent with patients to exercise with at home. Results showed improved balance and ambulation comparing pre- and post- measures of the BERG balance scale …

Implications Of Theory Of Mind, Feelings Of Connectedness, Flow State Of Mind Through Active And Passive Music Improvisation Experiences, Rebecca Lint

Honors Theses

This study is an introduction examining the relationship between a performer and the audience in a musical improvisation context. Current research exploring performer-audience interaction in improvisation experiences is scant and typically framed in a purely narrative context. This study seeks to evaluate four different components of the performer and audience relationship; amount, or level, of experience with improvisation and comfort levels, flow, theory of mind, and emotional connection. A survey was generated and given to students in an improvisation class to collect results based on these four components. This study found that improvisation experience levels were low but comfort with …

Implications Of Theory Of Mind, Feelings Of Connectedness, Flow State Of Mind Through Active And Passive Music Improvisation Experiences, Jessica Kociba

Honors Theses

This study is an introduction examining the relationship between a performer and the audience in a musical improvisation context. Current research exploring performer-audience interaction in improvisation experiences is scant and typically framed in a purely narrative context. This study seeks to evaluate four different components of the performer and audience relationship; amount, or level, of experience with improvisation and comfort levels, flow, theory of mind, and emotional connection. A survey was generated and given to students in an improvisation class to collect results based on these four components. This study found that improvisation experience levels were low but comfort with …

Implications Of Theory Of Mind, Feelings Of Connectedness, And A Flow State Of Mind Through Active And Passive Music Improvisation Experiences., Megan Nicodem

Honors Theses

This study is an introduction examining the relationship between a performer and the audience in a musical improvisation context. Current research exploring performer-audience interaction in improvisation experiences is scant and typically framed in a purely narrative context. This study seeks to evaluate four different components of the performer and audience relationship; amount, or level, of experience with improvisation and comfort levels, flow, theory of mind, and emotional connection. A survey was generated and given to students in an improvisation class to collect results based on these four components. This study found that improvisation experience levels were low but comfort with …

Implications Of Theory Of Mind, Feelings Of Connectedness, And A Flow State Of Mind Through Active And Passive Music Improvisation Experiences., Samuel Panicacci

Honors Theses

This study is an introduction examining the relationship between a performer and the audience in a musical improvisation context. Current research exploring performer-audience interaction in improvisation experiences is scant and typically framed in a purely narrative context. This study seeks to evaluate four different components of the performer and audience relationship; amount, or level, of experience with improvisation and comfort levels, flow, theory of mind, and emotional connection. A survey was generated and given to students in an improvisation class to collect results based on these four components. This study found that improvisation experience levels were low but comfort with …

Further Exploration Into The Coma Recovery Scale - Revised And The Music Therapy Assessment Tool For Awareness In Disorders Of Consciousness, Alika D. Seu

Masters Theses

Due to the high rate of misdiagnosis of individuals with disorders of consciousness (DOC) it has been a priority to develop clinical tools to accurately diagnose and assess these individuals (Seel et al., 2010). The Coma Recovery Scale – Revised has been regarded as the gold standard assessment for this population, however, a recent pilot study has shown that the Music Therapy Assessment Tool for Awareness in Disorders of Consciousness (MATADOC) may have increased sensitivity in several assessment domains (auditory, visual, arousal, and verbal commands) in relation to the overall diagnostic outcome. The data sets from this pilot study were …

Professional Preparedness: A Satisfaction Survey For Music Therapists In The United States, Xueyan Hua

Masters Theses

This study investigates the satisfaction level among undergraduate or equivalency students, who have completed their degree program, in regards to their professional education and preparedness for professional practice in the United States. Out of a sample of 7,183 Board- Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC) invited to complete an online research survey, 777 (n=777) MT-BCs completed the survey. Due to time limitations, qualitative data was not analyzed.

Major findings include: (1) 8.79% of respondents completed no more than two preinternship clinical practica; (2) 88.46% of respondents were satisfied with their clinical practicum settings; (3) 92.72% of respondents were satisfied with the relevancy …

A Survey Of Perceptions And Professional Boundaries Between Music Therapy And Speech-Language Pathology, Jennifer Rose Fromius

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between music therapists and speech-language pathologists in order to gain a better understanding of professional boundaries within each profession, frequency of co-treatment between the two professions, and perceptions of referral in clinical practice. Data for this research were collected through two online questionnaires with parallel sets of questions, which were distributed to a sample of boardcertified music therapists (MT-BC) and speech-language pathologists (CCC-SLP). Quantitative and qualitative data collected from the survey (N= 283; n = 45 MT-BC, n = 238 CCC-SLP) are analyzed to determine if there are correlations and …

Effect Of Social Feedback On Emotions And Preferences In Music, Megan Dillon

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research project was to investigate whether social feedback had an effect on individuals’ emotional ratings of and preferences in music. The current study recruited 173 participants and was based on a study by Egermann, Grewe, Kopiez, and Altenmüller (2009a) that surveyed individuals on their reactions to music when presented with falsified social feedback. The research hypothesis was that participants who were exposed to manipulated social feedback would report emotional ratings and preferences more closely aligned with the social feedback than when not exposed to the feedback. Results showed significant differences in participants’ reported ratings of music …

Perspectives On Satisfaction For The Clinical Internship In Music Therapy: Differences Between American And International Music Therapy Students And Music Therapists, Wang Lu

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to survey music therapy intern students and professionals across the United States to evaluate their satisfaction regarding their internship experience. 465 responses were collected for this study, 50 American music therapy interns, 353 American music therapy professionals, 12 international music therapy interns, and 50 international music therapy professionals. Data indicated that in the areas of “therapeutic relationship”, “professional role/ethics”, “therapy implementation,” and “documentation”, which are categories of the AMTA competencies, over 91% of the participants indicated that their expectations were mostly or completely met during internship. In contrast, the competency that respondents felt was …

A Comparison Of Concerns Related To Internship Preparation: A Survey Of International And American Music Therapy Students And Professionals, Fei Wang

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the different perceptions of internship between International and American music therapy students and professionals. There were 465 participants enroll in this study, and divided into four groups base on their own identification. Group AI (American Interns, n1=50), Group II (International Interns, n2=12), Group AP (American Professionals, n3=353), and Group IP (International Professionals, n4=50). The different perceptions include (a) primary criterion when choosing internship, (b) most confident areas when entering internship, (c) most want to improve during internship, (d) perceived strength related to internship preparedness, (e) primary concerns/worries related to internship preparedness. The …

The Effectiveness Of Music Therapy To Reduce Agitation Among Persons With Alzheimer’S Disease, Caroline Mazon

Honors Theses

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2016), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is diagnosed every 66 seconds resulting in this disease being the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States. Among other signs and symptoms, agitation is one of the most challenging symptoms that patients and caregivers must try to control using nonpharmacological therapies or prescribed pharmacological treatments. Among many professions, music therapy has been used to specifically lower the levels of agitation in AD patients. Live music, “sing a long’s”, using instruments, and listening to a song of the patients’ choice have all been shown to reduce agitation behaviors …