Music Therapy Commons^™

Lyric Analysis: A Resource For Acute Psychiatric Music Therapists, Sok Hwee Tay

Music Therapy Theses

As a music therapist working in a psychiatric setting, I have the privilege of working with individuals of varying psychiatric diagnoses. There is never a dull moment and I am constantly learning about myself through my work and through the individuals that I work with.

Lyric analysis and song writing are two techniques that I frequently employ in my sessions. In order to find songs that fit the requirement of the objectives that my individuals are working on, it requires me to spend time researching the song lyrics as well as the musical components of the song. This process is …

Advancing The World Federation Of Music Therapy: Strategic Planning Process, Annie Heiderscheit,, Petra Kern, Amy Clements-Cortés, Anita L. Gadberry, Jeanette Milford, Jen Spivey

Music Faculty Publications

The World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) is a nonprofit organization committed to its mission of developing and promoting music therapy throughout the world as an art and science. Since the organization’s inception in 1985, there have been significant changes in the world and many positive developments within the organization. These are reviewed providing a rationale for the initiation of this executive work. Methods utilized to complete the strategic planning process are outlined, along with the challenges and discoveries encountered throughout. outcomes of the strategic planning process are also highlighted.

The Effect Of Music Listening On Relaxation Level And Volume Of Breast Milk Pumped By Mothers Of Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Amber A. Colliver

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Breast milk is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition, but many factors can hinder milk production. Mothers of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are especially prone to stress, which can inhibit volume of breast milk. The purpose of this study was to determine if music listening had an effect on the volume of breast milk pumped and relaxation level of mothers of infants in a NICU.

A total of 28 participants, who were mothers of infants in the NICU, were included in the data analysis of this study, with 14 in the control group and 14 …

The Effect Of Music Therapy Interaction On Child And Parental Preoperative Anxiety In Parents Of Children Undergoing Day Surgery, Christopher R. Millett

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Young children who experience high levels preoperative anxiety often exhibit distress behaviors, experience more surgical complications, and are at a higher risk for developing a variety of negative postoperative consequences. A significant factor in pediatric preoperative anxiety is the level of anxiety present in their caregivers. Music therapy interventions addressing a variety of procedural outcomes have been met with success. The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of two music therapy interventions on reducing preoperative anxiety in young pediatric surgical patients and their caregivers.

A total of 40 pediatric patient and caregiver dyads were included in …

Tapestry Of Tears: An Autoethnography Of Leadership, Personal Transformation, And Music Therapy In Humanitarian Aid In Bosnia Herzegovina, Alpha M. Woodward

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In the fall of 2003 I was invited to lead a team of music therapists in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a country that had been recently savaged by two brutal inter-ethnic wars. The program operated out of the Pavarotti Music Centre on the East side of Mostar, a divided city in the southwest region of BiH. My journey over the next four years was epically challenged by my immersion into the complexities of post-conflict recovery, and the cultural confusion that followed the atrocities of those wars. Transformation and change not only characterized the world in which I worked, but also …

Comparative Analysis Of Varying Theoretical Frameworks In Argentine Music Therapy., Talia Girton

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

One of the most shocking cultural phenomena that American visitors to Argentina experience is the prevalence of psychoanalytic theory, thought, and practice. It is so embedded into the Argentine way of life that its terminology is sprinkled throughout their daily speech and the cost of regular therapy sessions is factored into the monthly budget along with food, rent, and clothing. The widespread use of psychoanalysis is especially confounding to those of us in the mental health care field in the United States, as the enthusiasm for psychoanalysis and Freudian theory has receded among the intellectual community largely because it is …

The Status Of, Teacher Attitudes Towards, And The Lmpact Of Music Therapy Lnclusive Music Education In Michigan, Ann E. Armbruster

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine Michigan music teachers' attitudes and perceptions regarding their training for and experience with special learners in their classrooms, and their collaboration and consultation with music therapists. Eighty-six music educators completed a 51 item questionnaire. Results showed that music teachers' attitudes and perceptions are generally positive toward inclusion. Mean scores for attitude and perception were not influenced by whether participants had or had not taken a course in special education as a student, whether they had access to continuing education regarding inclusion through their school district, or participants' predominant teaching area or degree …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Experience Of Music Therapists With Vocal Health Issues, Liisa Hill Murray

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the experience of music therapists who have had vocal health issues. Participants included three board-certified music therapists who use their voice as a primary or secondary instrument in practice and have experienced vocal health issues for which they obtained medical treatment. Participants described their experiences during semi-structured interviews, and an adaptation of Giorgi's (2012) descriptive phenomenological psychological method was used to identify the underlying themes. Themes that depicted the essence of the therapists' experiences were: (a) Physical Sensations Leading to Emotional Experiences, (b) Challenges to Identity, (c) Relationship Shifts, (d) Changes …

Exploring Empathy In Music Therapy, Jessica Haviland

Theses & Dissertations

This following research is a phenomenological inquiry exploring the role of empathy in the clinical work of music therapists. Three board-certified music therapists were interviewed about their personal and clinical experience with empathy, and the role empathy has played in their clinical work. Data are analyzed according to procedures associated with transcendental phenomenology methodology, and overall themes are discussed. Related literature is reviewed, and implications for future research in relation to this phenomenon are discussed.

Effects Of Music Intervention On The Patient’S Perception Of Pain After Knee Replacement Surgery, Heather E. Hooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether therapeutic music affects the patient’s perception of pain, postoperative day 1 after knee replacement surgery in an inpatient hospital. In addition to the patient’s pain levels, the study was an analysis of the quantity of opioids the patient was requested, the length of stay, and the physiological parameters, which included blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. Sixty knee replacement patients were randomly placed in the music group or the quiet group. The Faces Pain Scale Revised with Numeric Rating Scale was used to measure pain levels. Statistical analysis …

De Concentv Amisso Qvaerendo: An Investigation Into The Relative Benefits Of Three Different Types Of Ambient Music On The Observed Agitated Behaviour And Quality Of Life Of Dementia Sufferers In Residential Aged Care Facilities, Peter Wilkinson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

There is an increasing body of research evidence to support the use of music as a therapeutic modality in reducing the agitated behaviour frequently associated with late-stage dementia. Although much of this evidence suggests that music interventions are most effective when they are “individualized”, this type of intervention is often difficult to implement in large, busy, aged care facilities where residents may be located together in communal areas during the day. The challenge therefore is to try and identify a particular musical genre which, when played as “ambient” or “background” music, demonstrates a consistent capacity to reduce agitated behaviour in …

The Role Of The Musical - Self In Promoting Career Longevity Among Music Therapists, Peter Davis

Theses & Dissertations

To attend to the musical and clinical needs of music therapy consumers, music therapists must attend to their own music so as to nurture their musical-self (Bruscia, 1987; Priestley, 1994; Robbins & Robbins, 1998). Yet, despite the fact that music is the basic tool music therapists rely upon to conduct their work (Aigen, 2005b; Brookins, 1984), the topic of nurturing the musical-self has received scarce, if any attention in the music therapy literature. The purpose of this study was to understand the views of professional music therapists in regard to the role of the musical-self in promoting career longevity among …

Music At The End Of Life: Bringing Comfort And Saying Goodbye Through Song And Story, Amy Clements-Cortés

Music Faculty Publications

Music has been an important part of the human existence across all continents and cultures since the beginning of recorded time. It is used, for example, in the celebration of happy events, for religious rituals, and to acknowledge the death of loved ones, often as part of spiritual and symbolic rituals. Although the formal and structured use of music as a component of care for individuals in end-of-life palliative care and hospice systems is relatively new in the world of contemporary medicine, its use is growing rapidly and is appreciated by both those providing the music and those receiving the …

Freeing The Voice Within Through Guided Imagery And Music, Amy Clements-Cortés

Music Faculty Publications

This paper presents the case study of a 38-year-old female, "Joy," and her Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) process. Joy was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada in 2008 to pursue further studies along with her husband. Joy is a music educator who was drawn to GIM to explore issues with her parents, husband, anxiety and stress in order to lead her to improved well-being and healing. This paper provides the relevant background information on GIM, and several important topics in Joy's therapeutic process, including: gender issues being raised in Hong Kong, effects of parental gambling on child …

Music Therapy, Pain, And Anxiety In Short-Term Adult Inpatient Orthopedic Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial, John Marino

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety with older adult orthopedic patients in short-term inpatient rehabilitation. Pain and anxiety are common conditions faced by older adults that can hinder progress in therapy. Ten participants were randomly selected to music therapy or control group. Pain and anxiety levels were measured pre and post intervention, for eight sessions. A music therapy questionnaire addressing interventions for pain and anxiety management was administered to the experimental group following the last session. Music therapy interventions applied were consistent with current research and contained preferred, familiar …

Effects Of Patient-Directed Music Intervention On Anxiety And Sedative Exposure In Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilatory Support A Randomized Clinical Trial, Annie Heiderscheit, Linda L. Chlan, Craig R. Weinert, Mary Fran Tracy, Debra J. Skaar, Jill L. Guttormson, Kay Savik

Faculty Authored Articles

Importance:

Alternatives to sedative medications, such as music, may alleviate the anxiety associated with ventilatory support.

Objective:

To test whether listening to self-initiated patient-directed music (PDM) can reduce anxiety and sedative exposure during ventilatory support in critically ill patients.

Design, Setting, and Patients:

Randomized clinical trial that enrolled 373 patients from 12 intensive care units (ICUs) at 5 hospitals in the Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, area receiving acute mechanical ventilatory support for respiratory failure between September 2006 and March 2011. Of the patients included in the study, 86% were white, 52% were female, and the mean (SD) age …

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Nordoff-Robbins Trainees' Personal And Musical Growth During Certification Training, Matsuri Imura

Theses & Dissertations

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (NRMT) is an improvisational model of music therapy that involves active music making between a client and therapist. Through this interaction, the therapist may promote communication, self-expression and relatedness (Aigen, 2005). NRMT requires advanced training beyond what is necessary to practice music therapy at an entry level, and it offers certification at three levels. This study examined the experience of three participants who have completed Level I NRMT training. The first level of training focuses on developing musical resources and clinical applications of music while trainees attend classes and conduct individual and group sessions. Improvisational competencies necessary …

Exploring The Impact Of Personal Bereavement On Music Therapists' Work In End-Of-Life Care, Kaitlyn Leann Weeks

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the impact of personal loss on music therapists' work in end-of-life care. Each of the two participants in this study has worked in an end-of-life care setting as a board certified music therapist, has experienced a personal loss within the past ten years, was willing to share their experience of grief openly, and was personally aware as to how their experience has impacted their work.

The participants discussed their loss on a personal and professional level, and shared the positive effects and challenging outcomes of grief in relation to their clinical …

The Experience Of Teamwork In Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy: A Phenomenological Investigation, John Mulcahy

Theses & Dissertations

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (NRMT) is a unique improvisational approach to music therapy utilizing the model of a two-therapist clinical team to treat clients. In this phenomenological study, four NRMT-trained music therapists were interviewed and asked to reflect upon their past experiences working within a two-therapist team. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for relevant themes. Eight invariant themes common among all participant responses were found demonstrating patterns of interpersonal/musical interaction and shared experiences/understanding between team members, along with demonstrating the influence of outside factors on the overall team dynamic. Participants reported that the qualities of team member interaction encompassing trust and …

The Experience Of Music Therapists Who Balance The Dual Professions Of Music Therapist And Professional Musician, Colin Turner

Theses & Dissertations

This phenomenological research explores the experiences of professionals who balance careers as both music therapists and professional musicians. Interviews with these participants provide new insights into the lives of music therapists who are also music performers outside of clinical work. This study aims to gain a better understanding of how music therapists describe the impacts of balancing the two professions. Four Board-Certified Music Therapists who simultaneously work as professional musicians participated in open-ended interviews regarding their experiences of balancing the two professions and how it has impacted their clinical work. Two main categories emerged during the analysis: (a) Performance had …

Exploring Spiritual Experiences Of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapists, Hyun Jin Hong

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological inquiry was to explore spiritual dimensions of Creative Music Therapy, also known as Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (NRMT). NRMT uses improvisational music therapy with children and adults with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities to encourage deeper and more extensive realization of therapeutic goals. This study examined music therapists’ spiritual experiences by illuminating their personal experiences in the NRMT setting. Research questions and sub-questions included: How do NRMTs define spirituality? How do they experience spirituality in music therapy? Why do they regard the experience as spiritual? How are those experiences reflected in music? How do they view …

A Historical Review Of Music Therapy And The Department Of Veterans Affairs, Jenna Spencer

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the history and development of music therapy within the veteran population, specifically in regards to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This research will be conducted qualitatively utilizing narrative inquiry and historical review. Using numerous sources of literature, the researcher will conduct a thorough historical review in order to fully portray the development of music therapy practice within the veteran population. The researcher will explore various sources of relevant literature in order to discover when and how music therapy was first used to treat the veteran population and how music therapy programs …

Parallel Process In Music Therapy Supervision, Gabriela S. Ortiz

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand parallel process in individual music therapy sessions with a child with Williams Syndrome and the subsequent supervisory relationship. This study consisted of an exploration of parallel process employing the qualitative analysis of first-person research and reflexive phenomenology. Data was collected through video- and audio-recordings from a total of three sessions (two clinical and 1 supervision). The method included analyses of personal journal entries, interpretive coding, and musical and verbal transcriptions. Musical and interpersonal themes were then identified within the therapeutic and supervisory relationships using retrospection and holistic listening. The findings from …

I Am Surrounded By Love: An Inquiry Into The Use Of Songs With A Woman With Traumatic Brain Injury, 11 Years Post-Injury, Pamela J. Carlton

Theses & Dissertations

The use of songs in music therapy with persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) has many facets and applications in rehabilitation. Analyses of lyrics, song construct, and song choice have been examined with persons with TBI in coma states and early post-coma recovery, but more research is needed that focuses on what occurs when songs in therapy are introduced at a later point in TBI recovery. This narrative inquiry examined the therapeutic relevance of melody, rhythm, and song structure in songs for a woman with TBI from a 3-year period of weekly music therapy sessions. The participants in this study …

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 …