The Effect of Music Therapy on the Spirituality of Persons in an In-Patient Hospice Unit as Measured by Self-Report

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of music therapy on the spirituality of persons in an in-patient hospice unit as measured by self-report. Participants (N = 10) were used as their own control in an ABAB design format. Session A consisted of approximately 30 minutes of music therapy, after which the patient/subject responded to a spiritual well-being questionnaire; Session B consisted of approximately 30 minutes of a nonmusic visit, after which the patient/subject responded to a spiritual well-being questionnaire. The spiritual well-being questionnaire used in this study is an 18-item, religiously nonspecific, self-report questionnaire using a Likert Scale of 6 degrees adapted from the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (Ellison & Paloutzian, 1982). All participants gave written consent prior to participation in the study. Data results were graphically and statistically analyzed after four visits and four spiritual well-being questionnaires were completed for each subject. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in spiritual well-being scores on music days.