Active Music Therapy Research Articles

The Importance of Physical Activity in the Protection of the Mental Health of Students of Faculty of Sport Sciences

The purpose of the present research is determining the psychological symptoms observed among the students of the Faculty of Sports Sciences and to define the effects of physical activity on the mental health of the students. The sample of the research consists of 222 volunteer students (n=75 female and n=147 male) who study at Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Sports Sciences in 2017-2018 Academic Year. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to define the physical activity levels of students and Symptom Distress Check List (SCL-90-R) was used to define the psychological symptoms of the students. SPSS 22.0 package program was used for the statistical analysis of the data collected for the present research. According to the findings of the statistical analyses, the most frequent psychological symptoms observed among students respectively were obsessive-compulsive symptoms (70.3%, n=156), paranoid thoughts (63.1%, n=140), interpersonal sensitivity (51.8%, n=115) and anger hostility (51.4%, n=114). It was also found that there was a significant negative correlation between the physical activity levels of the students and general symptom averages and the psychological symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, anxiety, anger hostility at 0.01 level (p>0.05). According to the findings of the present research, symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive symptoms, paranoid thoughts, interpersonal sensitivity and anger hostility are observed, and general symptom average was high among students of Faculty of Sports Sciences and psychological symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, anxiety, anger hostility, phobic reaction decreased as the physical activity level of the students increased. Psychological symptoms other than psychotics were mostly among female students. Participation in meditation, yoga, music therapy, exercise and physical activity programs as well as applied lessons in the curriculum can contribute to the prevention of mental problems among students with these symptoms.

Music Therapy and Physical Activity to Ease Restlessness, Irritability and Aggression in Persons with Dementia with Signs of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration

Music Therapy and Physical Activity to Ease Restlessness, Irritability and Aggression in Persons with Dementia with Signs of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration

A Study on Analgesic Effect of Music Interventions after Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy in Cancer Patients

One of the most considerable side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients is pain. The pain that caused by these treatments can include muscle pain, stomach pain, headaches and pain caused by nerve damage. These pains can get better after treatment sessions but in some patients, permanent nerve damage cause severe symptoms after treatment. The present study examines the palliative efficacy of active and receptive music therapy cancer patients after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 184 young adult cancer patients in age range of 20-40 years, who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, have been studied inactive and receptive music therapy intervention groups, and a control group. Participants were questioned by McGill pain questionnaire visual analogue scale in pre-test and post-test after 10 sessions of active or receptive music therapy(with each session of 15-30 minutes). Results indicated significant differences in reduction in scores of pain from pre-therapy to post-therapy scores for both intervention groups as compared to no intervention group. Analyses of Covariance applied to compare these three independent groups revealed that active music therapy had the greatest impact on the reduction of pain as compared to the receptive music therapy group. The study has great implications for analgesic effect of music therapy in cancer patients during chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Combining drug and music therapy in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease: a randomized study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) can impair language, but active music therapy (AMT) and memantine (M) can improve communication. This study aimed to clarify whether adding AMT to M may improve language in comparison with drugs alone in patients with moderate AD on stable therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEI). Forty-five AD patients treated with stable dose of AchEI were randomized to receive AMT plus M 20mg/day or M 20mg/day for 24weeks. The Severe Impairment Battery-Language (SIB-l), SIB, Mini Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Lubben Social Network Scale, Activities of Daily Living, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores at baseline and 12 and 24weeks assessed language (primary variable) and overall cognitive, psycho-behavior, social, and functional aspects (secondary variables). The SIB-l showed a stabilization of the baseline condition in both groups, in the absence of between-group differences. The NPI depression and appetite scores significantly improved in the M-AMT group. Moreover, significantly less patients in the M-AMT group than those in the M group showed worsening of the NPI total score. Daily activities, social relationships, and overall cognitive performance did not deteriorate. In patients with moderate AD, AMT added to pharmacotherapy has no further benefits for language in comparison with pharmacotherapy alone. However, this integrated treatment can improve the psycho-behavioral profile.

Voice Characteristics of People with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP): An Overview on Baseline Vocal Characteristics and Guidelines for Therapeutic Singing

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease in which the symptoms of the disease are worsen over time. Core symptoms of the disease are such as tremor-at-rest, rigidity, postural instability, and bradykinesia. Apart from these motor-problems, other problems such as sleep disorder, sensory abnormalities, neuropsychiatric disorders also exist. In addition to the motor-problems, latest literature documented 80-90% of the people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP) are prone to develop voice impairment known as Parkinsonian Dysarthria, when symptoms deteriorate, causing loss of communication, difficulties in swallowing and breathing that are psychologically devastating and life threatening. Growing research in music therapy (MT) and music-based rehabilitative activities worldwide documented positive effects on PwP. A local research using therapeutic singing as rehabilitative model at the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA) also have reported positive benefits in improving vocal problems in the Malaysian PwP. In this research, some primary and preliminary data on the vocal characteristic, including baseline vocal loudness (VL), pitch range (PR) and respiratory rate (RR) were obtained among 22 local PwP prior to examining effects of singing on PwP. Findings of this study showed that the PwP speak softer than the normal accepted range. The findings also showed that they have tendency to develop rapid breathing, and their average pitch range while singing is limited within the range of G#3 – B4. These findings can further propose guidelines for voice rehabilitation models based on the preliminary voice characteristics concluded in this study.

The Effect of Music Therapy on Sleep Quality of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy: A Randomized control trial

Poor sleep quality is frequent in patients undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the present study, an effectiveness of music therapy on the quality of sleep in cancer patients was evaluated. 184 adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy were selected from the population who met the inclusion criteria based on convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to three groups: two intervention groups of active or receptive music therapy and a control group. Participants completed Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at pre-intervention and post-intervention stages. Ten sessions of active or receptive music therapy were applied to the intervention groups, while the control group received only routine medical care. Every session was of 20-30 minutes. Receptive music therapy involved patient’s preferred Persian pop music, and active music therapy involved playing guitar and singing under training and supervision of a music-therapist. Two-way Analysis of Covariance indicated significant differences between results of pre-test and post-test on sleep quality in both intervention groups. It showed the effectiveness of music therapy in experimental groups, as compared to the control group, and revealed active music therapy to be more effective to improve sleep quality. No gender difference was found on the results. The study has great implications for sleep quality improvement in the cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Cognitive training in Alzheimer's disease: a controlled randomized study.

This controlled randomized single-blind study evaluated the effects of cognitive training (CT), compared to active music therapy (AMT) and neuroeducation (NE), on initiative in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Secondarily, we explored the effects of CT on episodic memory, mood, and social relationships. Thirty-nine AD patients were randomly assigned to CT, AMT, or NE. Each treatment lasted 3months. Before, at the end, and 3months after treatment, neuropsychological tests and self-rated scales assessed initiative, episodic memory, depression, anxiety, and social relationships. At the end of the CT, initiative significantly improved, whereas, at the end of AMT and NE, it was unchanged. Episodic memory showed no changes at the end of CT or AMT and a worsening after NE. The rates of the patients with clinically significant improvement of initiative were greater after CT (about 62%) than after AMT (about 8%) or NE (none). At the 3-month follow-up, initiative and episodic memory declined in all patients. Mood and social relationships improved in the three groups, with greater changes after AMT or NE. In patients with mild to moderate AD, CT can improve initiative and stabilize memory, while the non-cognitive treatments can ameliorate the psychosocial aspects. The combining of CT and non-cognitive treatments may have useful clinical implications.

Active music therapy approach for stroke patients in the post-acute rehabilitation.

Guidelines in stroke rehabilitation recommend the use of a multidisciplinary approach. Different approaches and techniques with music are used in the stroke rehabilitation to improve motor and cognitive functions but also psychological outcomes. In this randomized controlled pilot trial, relational active music therapy approaches were tested in the post-acute phase of disease. Thirty-eight hospitalized patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were recruited and allocated in two groups. The experimental group underwent the standard of care (physiotherapy and occupational therapy daily sessions) and relational active music therapy treatments. The control group underwent the standard of care only. Motor functions and psychological aspects were assessed before and after treatments. Music therapy process was also evaluated using a specific rating scale. All groups showed a positive trend in quality of life, functional and disability levels, and gross mobility. The experimental group showed a decrease of anxiety and, in particular, of depression (p=0.016). In addition, the strength of non-dominant hand (grip) significantly increased in the experimental group (p=0.041). Music therapy assessment showed a significant improvement over time of non-verbal and sonorous-music relationships. Future studies, including a greater number of patients and follow-up evaluations, are needed to confirm promising results of this study.

Flow as a mechanism of change in music therapy: Applications to clinical practice

Due to the creative and purposeful applications of music in a therapeutic context, music therapists may be uniquely able to foster flow-based experiences for the people who access their services – herein “users”. As flow has been linked with a number of positive factors, it may be ideal for encouraging and enhancing learning and therapeutic encounters during music therapy. The purpose of this paper is to describe flow and provide contextualisation of flow in music therapy clinical practice and as a possible mechanism of change that might explain outcomes observed in research with users. To integrate the flow-based literature into music therapy research, we discuss flow in receptive and active music therapy interventions and applications of flow in clinical practice and research. We propose flow as a bi-directional construct in music therapy and, based upon the person-activity fit model, offer a figure integrating skill of the therapist with the challenge of the intervention in an attempt to enhance music therapy education and clinical practice. Moreover, flow may represent a positively framed and less invasive method for measuring users’ perceptions of the therapeutic outcomes. Future research utilising all paradigms is warranted to best understand this concept and resultant therapeutic implications.

Effect of Music Interventions on Sedation in Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Clinical Trial

Background: Although parenteral sedation is often required in MRI studies in children, it is stressful and increases the cost of healthcare. Objectives: We evaluated the impact of music interventions in children receiving parenteral sedation for MRI studies on total number of doses of sedation medications, sedation time, levels of cortisol and cytokines, sedation success, adverse events, parental satisfaction, and cost savings. Methods: We conducted a prospective open unblinded four-arm clinical evaluation of interventions on 471 children 1-12 years of age undergoing MRI and receiving parenteral sedation. Children were assigned to active music therapy (AMT), facilitated music listening (FML), and as comparison another intervention (child life intervention or CLI), or no intervention (NI); measures included number of doses of sedation medications, time of sedation, sedation success, adverse events, parental satisfaction, and salivary levels of the stress hormone cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines, before and after intervention. Results: The total number of sedation doses, total sedation time, and levels of salivary cortisol and cytokines did not differ between the four groups. One FMLA choice, Wee Sing Animal Songs, resulted in significant decrease in total sedation time and reduction of associated costs. Conclusions: The use of one type of FML led to decreased total sedation time in children. This is an important finding since FML is an inexpensive non-invasive intervention which could be of significant time and cost saving benefits.

Active music therapy approach in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomized-controlled trial.

This randomized controlled study assessed the efficacy of active music therapy (AMT) on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Communication and relationship during AMT treatment were also evaluated. Thirty patients were assigned randomly to experimental [AMT plus standard of care (SC)] or control (SC) groups. AMT consisted of 12 sessions (three times a week), whereas the SC treatment was based on physical and speech rehabilitation sessions, occupational therapy, and psychological support. ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Music Therapy Rating Scale were administered to assess functional, psychological, and music therapy outcomes. The AMT group improved significantly in McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire global scores (P=0.035) and showed a positive trend in nonverbal and sonorous-music relationship during the treatment. Further studies involving larger samples in a longer AMT intervention are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this approach in ALS.

Nurturing the dialogue between intra and inter dimensions of music therapy training and practice

Background: As part of an MA in Music Therapy, three professional Italian music therapists each recently undertook an in-depth microanalysis of a documented moment in their own clinical work. Two of the studies consisted of an analysis of musical inter-relational moments within active music therapy (one in paediatric oncology, the other in adult disability), the third focused on a heuristic study within receptive methodology. These studies represented an intense intra-personal exploration into the micro-dimensions of musical therapeutic dynamics between therapist and client.Objective: The three microanalyses have been used as a meta tool within a guided group training context, to further develop clinical awareness and sustain the valuable dialogue between intra- and inter-personal experience for continuing professional development.Methods: During a 10 month process of shared reflective supervision coordinated by a fourth music therapist, the colleagues pooled, discussed and explored their individual micro...

In the Groove: An Evaluation to Explore a Joint Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children with Acquired Brain Injury

An acquired brain injury in children disrupts brain development and neural pathways, which may have serious implications on occupational role performance. Assessment and management of children with neurological disorders is complex and treatment requires the engagement of a multidisciplinary team. Increasing evidence indicates that both occupational therapists and music therapists work effectively towards similar goals with children with acquired brain injury. This evaluation investigated the effectiveness of a joint music therapy and occupational therapy group in promoting the development of self-regulation skills in children with an acquired brain injury or neurological condition, as part of a pilot project at a regional paediatric hospital in Australia. Six participants, aged five and half to ten years, were recruited through the acquired brain injury and neurology outpatient service at a regional paediatric hospital. Children underwent occupational therapy assessment and were identified to have sensory processing difficulties that negatively impacted on the child’s occupational roles of "friend" and "student." The intervention group, In the Groove, received seven, weekly, one-hour sessions, held for one hour on a weekly basis. Each session involved a variety of joint music therapy and occupational therapy activities, specifically planned to achieve intervention goals. A range of standardised occupational therapy and music therapy outcome measures were used, as well as non-standardised measures. All children received positive outcomes following intervention for at least one outcome measure. The findings indicate that joint music therapy and occupational therapy intervention may provide children with acquired brain injury and neurological impairment opportunities to develop self-regulation skills.

Effectiveness of music therapy on aggression as an adjunct therapy

Knowledge on the effect of music therapy in person with mental illness is very important. The aim of the review is to discuss the articles pertaining to music therapy on aggression among person with mental illness. The review was based on studies conducted globally. Systematic search was conducted on a range of databases, citations were sought from relevant reviews and several websites were also included in the search, including those of MIND and Mental Health Foundation. MEDline, EMBASE and Psyc INFO were searched for studies published from 2000 January to 2015. Quantitative method and Descriptive approach were used for this reviewing 14 articles. Majority of the studies (11 out of 14, 78.57%) showed positive effects of music therapy on aggression, were as remaining 3 studies (21.42 %) not shown any effect on aggression. The present review also reveals that Group Active Music Therapy model (75%) was more effective than Group Receptive Music Therapy Model (66.66%). Group music therapy model enhances the group interactions and communications. Music intervention being one form of non-pharmacological approaches has several advantages in that it addresses the psychosocial as well as environmental aspects for managing behavioural problems. Music intervention, therefore, may have provided an avenue for appropriate expression of negative emotions.

Vocal Music Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Inner-City African Americans: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study.

To date, research on music for pain management has focused primarily on listening to prerecorded music for acute pain. Research is needed on the impact of active music therapy interventions on chronic pain management. The aim of this mixed methods research study was to determine feasibility and estimates of effect of vocal music therapy for chronic pain management. Fifty-five inner-city adults, predominantly African Americans, with chronic pain were randomized to an 8-week vocal music therapy treatment group or waitlist control group. Consent and attrition rates, treatment compliance, and instrument appropriateness/burden were tracked. Physical functioning (pain interference and general activities), self-efficacy, emotional functioning, pain intensity, pain coping, and participant perception of change were measured at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Focus groups were conducted at the 12-week follow-up. The consent rate was 77%. The attrition rate was 27% at follow-up. We established acceptability of the intervention. Large effect sizes were obtained for self-efficacy at weeks 8 and 12; a moderate effect size was found for pain interference at week 8; no improvements were found for general activities and emotional functioning. Moderate effect sizes were obtained for pain intensity and small effect sizes for coping, albeit not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggested that the treatment resulted in enhanced self-management, motivation, empowerment, a sense of belonging, and reduced isolation. This study suggests that vocal music therapy may be effective in building essential stepping-stones for effective chronic pain management, namely enhanced self-efficacy, motivation, empowerment, and social engagement.

Exploration of experiential teaching mode in the teaching of music therapeutics

On the basis of educational psychology fundamentals and characteristics, this study constructed the experiential teaching of music therapy. The preparations made before class include the construction of experiential teaching system, improvement of multimedia resources, and the establish-ment of music therapeutic room. Music therapy activities were taken as the main body and problem-based learning as the leading factor, clinical observation as the basis, and social practice as the complement, etc. This study provides basis and reference for the theoretical teaching and clinical practice of music therapy in medical colleges and universities. Key words: Experiential teaching; Musical therapy; Transformation of education

Effect of Active Music Therapy and Individualized Listening to Music on Dementia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

To assess the effects of active music therapy (MT) and individualized listening to music (LtM) on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) in persons with dementia (PWDs). Randomized controlled trial. Nine Italian institutions. Persons with moderate to severe dementia and BPSDs (N = 120) were randomized to one of three treatments. All groups received standard care (SC), and two groups attended 20 individualized MT or LtM sessions, twice a week, in addition to SC. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), and Cornell-Brown Scale for Quality of Life in Dementia (CBS-QoL) were administered before treatment, after treatment, and at follow-up to evaluate behavioral and psychological outcomes. A specific coding scheme (Music Therapy Check List-Dementia) was used to evaluate the MT process. Behavioral assessment did not show significant differences between groups. All groups showed a reduction over time in NPI global score (P ≤ .001), CSDD (P = .001), and CBS-QoL (P = .01). The NPI global score fell 28% in the MT group, 12% in the LtM group, and 21% in the SC group at the end of treatment. An exploratory post hoc analysis showed similar within-group improvements for the NPI Delusion, Anxiety, and Disinhibition subscales. In the MT group, communication and relationships between the music therapists and PWDs showed a positive albeit nonsignificant trend during treatment. The addition of MT or LtM to standard care did not have a significant effect on BPSDs in PWDs. Further studies on the effects of the integration of standard care with different types of music interventions on BPSD in PWD are warranted.

Individual music therapy for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms for people with dementia and their carers: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study.

BackgroundPrevious research highlights the importance of staff involvement in psychosocial interventions targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Music therapy has shown potential effects, but it is not clear how this intervention can be programmed to involve care staff within the delivery of patients’ care. This study reports initial feasibility and outcomes from a five month music therapy programme including weekly individual active music therapy for people with dementia and weekly post-therapy video presentations for their carers in care homes.Methods17 care home residents and 10 care staff were randomised to the music therapy intervention group or standard care control group. The cluster randomised, controlled trial included baseline, 3-month, 5-month and post-intervention 7-month measures of residents’ symptoms and well-being. Carer-resident interactions were also assessed. Feasibility was based on carers’ feedback through semi-structured interviews, programme evaluations and track records of the study.ResultsThe music therapy programme appeared to be a practicable and acceptable intervention for care home residents and staff in managing dementia symptoms. Recruitment and retention data indicated feasibility but also challenges. Preliminary outcomes indicated differences in symptoms (13.42, 95 % CI: [4.78 to 22.07; p = 0.006]) and in levels of wellbeing (−0.74, 95 % CI: [−1.15 to −0.33; p = 0.003]) between the two groups, indicating that residents receiving music therapy improved. Staff in the intervention group reported enhanced caregiving techniques as a result of the programme.ConclusionThe data supports the value of developing a music therapy programme involving weekly active individual music therapy sessions and music therapist-carer communication. The intervention is feasible with modifications in a more rigorous evaluation of a larger sample size.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01744600.

The Use of Music Interventions to Improve Social Skills in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Integrated Group Music Therapy Sessions

The lack of social interest is one of the core features of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Individuals with ASD suffer direct and indirect consequences related to their social interaction deficits. The effect of these deficits often increases during adolescence. In this period, adolescents with ASD start to report their desire for peer social interaction, and may also experience more loneliness than their typically developing peers. It is especially vital for adolescents with ASD to have emotionally non-threatening social experiences. The non-threatening and acquiescent nature of music helps to decrease the anxiety experienced during direct interaction with others and improve the social skills of adolescents with ASD. In this study,video recordings of music therapy activities carried out with a group of adolescents with ASD are analyzed, and the outcomes are presented. While activities such as singing, rhythmic games, creative movement and dance were performed; adolescents were asked to work in dyads, in small groups and in a large group. Adolescents initiated and sustained social interactions during music sessions and less resistance was observed while interacting with their peers.

Improvement of spontaneous language in stroke patients with chronic aphasia treated with music therapy: a randomized controlled trial

Aim of the study: The aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of active music therapy (MT) based on free-improvisation (relational approach) in addition to speech language therapy (SLT) compared with SLT alone (communicative-pragmatic approach: Promoting Aphasic's Communicative Effectiveness) in stroke patients with chronic aphasia. Materials and methods: The experimental group (n = 10) was randomized to 30 MT individual sessions over 15 weeks in addition to 30 SLT individual sessions while the control group (n = 10) was randomized to only 30 SLT sessions during the same period. Psychological and speech language assessment were made before (T0) and after (T1) the treatments. Results: The study shows a significant improvement in spontaneous speech in the experimental group (Aachener Aphasie subtest: p = 0.020; Cohen's d = 0.35); the 50% of the experimental group showed also an improvement in vitality scores of Short Form Health Survey (chi-square test = 4.114; p = 0.043). Conclusions: The current trial highlights the possibility that the combined use of MT and SLT can lead to a better result in the rehabilitation of patients with aphasia than SLT alone.