Remote music therapy group sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic with adults with psychotic disorders and staff: A multiple case study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of 12 remote music therapy group sessions with adults with psychotic disorders during the pandemic of COVID-19 (February-June 2021). Two different methods were used: a) Nordoff-Robbins scales 1 and 2 with six caretakers, b) thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with six caretakers and three caregivers. The clinical approach used in the sessions was Synthetic Music Therapy. Even though the music therapy group was remote and despite the social withdrawal and isolation due to the universal quarantine, there was evidence of significant positive changes in the caretakers’ clinical image, as their social skills improved. Furthermore, the caretakers managed to build and maintain a consistent and trusting therapeutic relationship. During the music therapy process almost all group members showed evidence of a linear progress in psychological and musical aspects, approaching the fully functioning state of being, called FA-fonie (FA-voice). Almost all participants highlighted that they would prefer the music therapy group to have been conducted at location. In the section of discussion, a further analysis of the results, the research limitations and proposals for future research are presented.