Music Therapy Commons^™

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 …

Listening, Improvisation, And The Therapeutic Relationship In Music Therapy: A Self-Inquiry, Jill Lucente

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this self-inquiry is to gain insight into the listening process I employ as a therapist through improvising with my clients, and also to better understand how the listening process influences the therapeutic relationship. Data was collected from two selected videotaped sessions of two clients (for a total of four videos). The sessions were transcribed and moments of improvisational music making were analyzed. Five areas were highlighted: client's responses, therapist's process, therapist's responses, therapist's reflection, and type of clinical listening. Adapted from Lee's six levels of clinical listening, four types of listening were identified: explorative listening, perceptive listening, …

Reflections On Change In Arts-Based Research: The Experiences Of Two Music Therapists, Deborah Seabrook, Carolyn Arnason

Music Faculty Publications

The process of engaging in arts-based research is unique; it draws upon the creative essence of the researcher to work with artistic forms which carry intangible information that is perhaps unknowable by other means. In this process, the researcher is engaged wholly; all faculties of the person are drawn into the artistic world. This article explores the experiences of two music therapists conducting arts-based research studies, weaving together distinct narratives with common themes. The reader is taken along the journey of two separate music therapy research projects: one whose participants are a group of music therapists, one whose participant is …

Considerations In A Brief Therapy Model For Music Therapy, Justin Francis

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of the study is to ascertain the extent to which music therapists are working in ways that utilize components of brief therapy. The goals are to gain insight into the following: 1) Are music therapists utilizing brief therapy? 2) What are music therapists' perception(s) of brief therapy work? A total of 108 Board-Certified Music Therapists participated in a three-part survey consisting of demographic information, clinical experience, and various perceptions pertaining to applications of brief music therapy. Survey Monkey administered the survey for one month via a linked email cover letter. Data from the survey was descriptively summarized. A …

Sound Healing: An Ancient-Modern Comparison Of The Uses Of Music And Sound For Therapy, Calli Woodard Thomason

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

De-Mystifying The Magic: Meaningful Moments In Music Therapy When Working With Children That Have Severe Special Needs, Kayla C. Daly

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The purpose of my study is to explore the “magic” that occurs in these music therapy sessions, and to discover what this word means for those who use it. For the purpose of this study we will define “magic” as having the occurrence of meaningful outcomes or moments in music therapy sessions. This study will attempt to reveal methods and techniques that are being used by music therapists to further facilitate the therapeutic process for children with severe special needs in their lives and everyday experiences. This study included naturalistic inquiry and phenomenological inquiry.

Effects Of Duration Of Selected Music As An Intervention On Postoperative Pain In Open-Heart Surgery Patients During Chair Rest On The First Postoperative Day, Tzu-Ting Shu

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the effects of selected music on reducing postoperative pain and use of pain relief medications in open-heart surgery patients during chair rest on the first postoperative day.

This study was conducted using a pretest-posttest experimental design. A convenience sample of 13 open-heart surgery patients from a metropolitan hospital in southeastern Michigan were randomly assigned to the music group (n = 6) and the control group (n = 7). T-test analysis showed that pain scores (numeric rating scale, NRS = 0-10) were lower in the music group than the control group after 30, …

Asperger's Disorder: A Musical Treatment For Child Anxiety, Jeremy Marriott

Theses : Honours

School-aged females with Asperger's Disorder (AD) are significantly affected by debilitating anxiety. At present, no empirically validated treatments exist to treat this anxiety. To investigate this affect and treatment gap, a mixed-methods revelatory single-case design, built on evidence-based treatment elements was designed and tested. Solo pianist, David Helfgott rated, performed and provided musical performances by Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Claude Debussy which were listened to once each morning before school by a 10-year-old female with AD. Anxiety was recorded via a self-report Daily Journal and parent-report Spence Child Anxiety Scale for 20 consecutive school days. Results indicated support for the …

The Effect Of Group Music Therapy On Adjustment Disorder For Korean Population In The United States, You-Ri Lee

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this study is to present multiple case studies of three individuals between the ages of 19 and 31, living in the New York City area and participating in a music therapy group for Korean exchange students experiencing Adjustment Disorder in the United States. The study provides an in depth discussion of the group music therapy process, which took place over nine one hour sessions held at Montclair State University. The case study is preceded by an extensive literature review describing the needs of the population, the lack of music therapy interventions and/or models with this population, and …

The Use Of Music In Early Childhood Centers In British Columbia: A Survey Of The Perceptions And Practices Of Early Childhood Educators, Michelle Lawrence

Masters Theses

This study explored the current practices of early childhood educators' utilization and perception about music in their classrooms. Early childhood educators are defined as individuals who have completed post-secondary training at an accredited college or university in early childhood education and are registered with the ECEBC Registry. Early childhood centers are defined as either preschools or licensed group child care centers. An online survey was been designed to obtain information regarding demographics and characteristics of early childhood centers in British Columbia, relevant musical and educational training, comfort level of the early childhood educator leading group music activities, implementation of the …

Does Change In Timbre Alter Stereotypy Movements Exhibited By Three Persons With Diagnoses Of Mental Retardation And Autism Spectrum Disorder: Three Case Studies, Kathy Wade Webb

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to observe and collect data while monitoring the responses of three individuals to recorded presentations of four folk songs. The individuals, or participants, were all residents of a state-run facility in the southern region of the United States. The participants were females diagnosed with mental retardation and autism spectrum disorder, and they all exhibited one or more stereotypy behaviors in some form or another. The primary purpose of the study was to see if change in timbre of the songs would alter the stereotypy movements exhibited by these participants as the songs were presented …

Something In The Air: Journeys Of Self-Actualization In Musical Improvisation, Heidi Ahonen, Marc Houde

Music Faculty Publications

The aim of this qualitative, abductive, and phenomenological inquiry was to develop categories based on participants' perceptions of their improvisation and listening experiences. As using improvised music in clinical music therapy is an important method, this study expanded the knowledge of and language needed to describe this very sensitive and insightful communication process. If there is something in the air—what is it and is it something significant? Research questions included: 1. What kind of process is experienced when one improvises with an unknown person in an unfamiliar musical style? 2. What is in the air during live interactive improvisation? 3. …

Music Therapy And The Families Of Nicu Infants : A Proposed Program For Development And Implementation, Angela Ferraiuolo-Thompson

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis proposes a music therapy program for families whose infants are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The goals of the program include the following: reduction of stress, anxiety and depression; working through trauma responses via the promotion of relaxation and the facilitation of coping skills. A review of the literature leads to the conclusion that families of NICU infants are under-served in terms of populations receiving music therapy as a supportive service. It is important to note that this population is often suffering from the same debilitating symptoms addressed in music therapy treatment of adults with …

The Use Of The Music Therapist’S Principal Instrument In Clinical Practice, Angela Voyajolu

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine the use of the music therapist’s primary instrument in clinical practice. Specifically, the interest lies in whether there is a relationship between the type of primary instrument reported and the degree to which it is used with clients. In the current study two-hundred and twenty-two therapists completed a survey concerning the use of their principal instrument in clinical practice. The use of the principal instrument was limited to the timeframe of one year so as to obtain results on current practices. Results suggest that many music therapists do use their principal instrument …

Adaptive Piano Pedagogy For The Student With Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nava Zeevi

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Music therapy is a well known means of creating emotional, academic and social advances in the life of children with autism. However, private instrumental instructions, a form of music therapy for this population, are not easily accessible. Not many piano teachers have the experience, background or understanding needed to teach students with varying degrees of challenges in sensory integration, information processing, aural and visual discrimination, motor problems and low muscle tone.

The literature review in this thesis includes an overview of autistic spectrum disorder, the special learning needs of the child with autism, and general piano pedagogy theories, strategies and …

Awareness And Attitudes Regarding Music Therapy In Jakarta, Indonesia : A Survey Amongst College Students, Liana Hadi

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purposes of this study are to ascertain the awareness, knowledge levels and the attitudes of college students towards music therapy in order to provide a perspective on the possible development of training and education in Indonesia. This study was completed by performing a random survey of seventy one college students, between the ages of 18-24 years old, over several local universities in Jakarta, Indonesia. The survey has 18 open-ended questions, which would require no more than 10 minutes for completion. The survey opens with some general questions about participants’ age, gender, the highest education and their major education. The …

Music And Literacy: Current Trends And Common Approaches Of Music Therapists In Early Childhood And School Settings, Julie A. Palmieri

Masters Theses

Reading and writing is the key to all learning, and providing children with effective literacy practices is one of the primary goals of educational systems. The purpose of this study was to identify the current trends and common approaches of professional music therapists who incorporate literacy learning into their practice. A total of 192 participants responded and completed the survey entitled Music and Literacy: Current trends and common approaches of music therapists. The study investigated if music therapists address the specific areas of literacy (vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, and phonics) that had been identified through a review of literature. …

The Role Of Music Therapy In Increasing Motivation For Change In Individuals With Dual Diagnosis : Alcohol Abuse And Depression In An Inpatient Short-Term Psychiatric Setting, Ann C. Charoonsathvathana

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The role of music therapy in increasing motivation for change in individuals with dual diagnosis with regard to alcohol abuse and depression in an inpatient short-term psychiatric setting is explored in this pilot study. This study involves a total of ten participants attending five music therapy sessions which consist of music improvisation, drumming, sing along, lyrics discussion, song writing, and music relaxation. A Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ), Music Therapy Questionnaire and Music Therapy Survey form are administered at different times of the sessions. The ¿-tests (within-subject design) are used to analyze the data. The study also includes descriptive data …

A Comparative Study Of Physician Knowledge, Attitudes, Referral Practices, And Barriers To Use Of Music Therapy And Related Allied Health Professions, Rebecca Elayn Frohardt

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to gather information regarding physicians' knowledge, attitudes, referral practices and barriers to use of music therapy in medical settings, as compared with related allied health professions. It is hoped that this knowledge will help music therapists identify opportunities for education and research, leading to the continued expansion of music therapy in health care. Participants were asked to complete a one-time online survey with 20 questions pertaining to basic demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, referral practices, and perceived barriers to use for music therapy and four related allied health professions. Forty-two physicians completed the survey beyond …

Physioacoustic Therapy: Placebo Effect On Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Peter M. Tiidus, Roula Markoulakis, D. Murray, Pam Bryden Dr., Heidi Ahonen-Eerikäinen

Music Faculty Publications

We evaluated claims that physioacoustic therapy can enhance muscle healing following damaging exercise. Untrained subjects were randomly assigned to control (C), placebo (P) or treatment (T) groups. All groups performed 70 eccentric triceps contractions followed by; no treatment (C), sham physioacoustic treatment (P), or actual physioacoustic therapy (T) on days 1–4 post-exercise. Muscle soreness and isometric and concentric triceps peak torque were determined preexercise and on days 1–4 and 7 post-exercise. The T group received physioacoustic therapy for 30 min/day on the treatment days. The P group believed they received physioacoustic therapy, although the chairs were turned off. Peak torques …

Music Therapy With High-Risk Youth: An Exploration Of Current Practice, Beth A. Clark

Masters Theses

This study explored the practices of music therapists in the United States and Canada who had worked with high-risk youth within the previous ten years. High-risk youth were defined as those likely to experience a decline in global level of functioning due to one or more issues related to mental health, substance misuse, or other social, economic, or cultural disadvantages, including correctional system involvement, street-involvement, or unstable home environment. An online survey of credentialed music therapists was conducted to explore the areas of demographics, clinical practice and information-seeking. Music therapists working with high-risk youth were asked to identify the most …