Group Music Therapy Research Articles

Music therapy groups with children at transit refugee camps in Chios Island, Greece

Introduction: Forced migration, a difficult and pervasive long-term experience, holds additional vulnerability for refugee children. Chios Island has become a first port of entry for many refugees fleeing from their homeland due to war conflicts or austerity issues, during the last year.Methodology: One-off music therapy open group sessions were conducted for children at the transit refugee camps. Data used for analysis and triangulation included researcher notes, pictures, videos and journals kept by other volunteers, who participated in the sessions with the music therapist.Case presentation: A model of psychosocial and psycho-emotional first aid through music intervention for refugee children was designed and was held for a period of 6 months. Children aged 2–17 participated in groups of 25 up to 90 individuals. The music intervention offered a safe and creative environment.Discussion: During a stressful and disruptive life period for refugee children, music sessions provide a non-verbal form of commun...

The good orchestra and the soloists: adolescence and identity in a music therapy group

The good orchestra and the soloists: adolescence and identity in a music therapy group

Effectiveness of group music therapy versus recreational group singing for depressive symptoms of elderly nursing home residents

Effectiveness of group music therapy versus recreational group singing for depressive symptoms of elderly nursing home residents

Effects of group music therapy on social and aggressive behaviors in deprived children from poor families socially disadvantaged children

Effects of group music therapy on social and aggressive behaviors in deprived children from poor families socially disadvantaged children

Group music therapy program for recidivous inmates in prison

Group music therapy program for recidivous inmates in prison

Can music therapy support language development of primary school children?

Background: Language competencies of primary school students in Germany are often insufficient despite various pre-school language support programs. Students with delayed language development receive a 1 year music therapy language promotion concentrating on emotional and communicative aspects.Methods: Language competencies are tested with a standardized test, students’ social-emotional development is assessed by teachers with a questionnaire. Both instruments are applied in a quasi-experimental two-group pre-post design. The sample consists of 35 students receiving music therapy and 43 students as comparison group.Results: No significant group differences regarding language competency were found. However, concerning social-emotional aspects the music therapy group improved significantly more on the “self-assertion”-scale than the comparison group. To gain better insight into this effect, two contrasting cases were selected and analyzed (mixed-methods-design).Discussion: The area of “self-assertion” appea...

I could hear my heart beating*: music therapy group work for people struggling with everyday stress

I could hear my heart beating*: music therapy group work for people struggling with everyday stress

A music therapy group for gay men: thoughts and considerations

Background: Sexual identity formation process can often be accompanied by a sense of loneliness, difficulties in relationships, shame and lack of self-acceptance. Previous research I conducted showed that music can have different roles in the process of coming out and sexual identity formation.Objective: To present the clinical work, I did with a music therapy group for gay men using existing songs.Methods: A group of six gay men was formed through The LGBT organization in Tel Aviv. The clinical work was based on the use of Amir’s (2012) musical presentation model (MPM) in which participants introduced themselves to the group through songs of their choice.Results: The musical group work improved the ability of the participants to experience intimacy and empathy towards others; it increased their feelings of belonging to the gay community and developed acceptance of their own sexual identity.Discussion: The roles of MPM, particularly the fact that presenting songs to others, helped the participants to expr...

The effectiveness of receptive music therapy in palliative care: results of a randomized, controlled trial

Background: Music therapy has been used as a complementary treatment in palliative care for more than 35 years. Despite some promising findings regarding the improvement of quality of life and pain, empirical evidence is still rare.Objective: The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of a standardized, live music therapy relaxation intervention for terminally ill patients.Methods: A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to either two sessions of music therapy or a control intervention. Primary outcomes were self-ratings of relaxation, well-being, and acute pain. Heart rate variability (HRV) and blood volume pulse amplitude (BVP-A) were assessed as secondary outcomes.Results: The music therapy group showed significantly greater improvements regarding relaxation and well-being. No significant differences were observed for acute pain. Examination of physiological data revealed a significant increase in HRV and a marginally significant increase in BVP-A.Discussion/Conclusions: Results ind...

Group music therapy impacts mood states of adolescents in a psychiatric hospital setting

Although Music Therapy, an allied health discipline, is often included in standard care for the treatment of children with mental health disorders, there is a lack of empirical evidence to support its contribution for the care of children and adolescents in mental health services. The goal of this retrospective research is to examine whether group music therapy affects mood states of adolescent inpatients in a psychiatric hospital service based within a large children’s hospital. A secondary aim was to understand if specific patient demographic predictors influenced the mood outcome. Participants included 352 predominately white, non-Hispanic patients (12–21 years old, with a mean age of 15.13±1.88 years) who completed 596 mood measures between August 2010 and March 2013. Participants completed the Fast Assessment of Children’s Emotions (FACE) before and after a group music therapy session. Based on a binary outcome model of change or no change, the probability of a change in total mood score was high (probability of change 0.82[95%CI 0.79, 0.85]). There were no significant associations between age, gender, or other specific demographics that were tested, nor changes in individual or total mood scores within this sample. This preliminary research documents the immediate impact of group music therapy sessions on mood of adolescent patients in this setting diagnosed with a range of psychiatric disorders.

Trajectories of Terminally Ill Patients' Cardiovascular Response to Receptive Music Therapy in Palliative Care

ContextRelaxation interventions are frequently used to promote symptom relief in palliative care settings, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. ObjectivesThe present analysis aimed at examining the psychophysiological pathways of terminally ill patients' cardiovascular response to a live music therapy vs. prerecorded mindfulness exercise. MethodsEighty-four patients of a palliative care unit were randomly assigned to either of the two interventions. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze trajectories of physiological change. Vagally mediated heart rate variability (VM-HRV) and blood volume pulse amplitude (BVP-A) served as indices of autonomic nervous system response. Participants' gender, age, baseline scores, self-rated pain, and assignment to treatment were entered to the models as predictors. ResultsBoth VM-HRV and BVP-A showed significant linear and quadratic trends over time, as well as substantial heterogeneity among individuals' trajectories. Baseline scores, pain, and treatment significantly accounted for random variation in VM-HRV intercepts. BVP-A levels were significantly higher in women than in men. Moreover, assignment to treatment significantly accounted for differences in the linear slopes of peripheral blood flow. ConclusionHigher levels of VM-HRV in the music therapy group highlight the importance of a therapeutic relationship for the effectiveness of relaxation interventions in end-of-life care settings. Music therapy caused significantly stronger reductions of vascular sympathetic tone and, therefore, may be indicated in the treatment of pain and stress-related symptoms in palliative care. Initial self-ratings of pain moderated patients' physiological response and need to be taken into account in clinical practice and future theory building.

Book Review: Alison Davies, Eleanor Richards and Nick Barwick, Group Music Therapy: A Group Analytic Approach

Book Review: Alison Davies, Eleanor Richards and Nick Barwick, <i>Group Music Therapy: A Group Analytic Approach</i>

Active versus receptive group music therapy for major depressive disorder—A pilot study

ObjectivesTo compare the effects of 1) active group music therapy and 2) receptive group music therapy to group counseling in treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Design & settingOn top of standard care, 14 MDD outpatients were randomly assigned to receive 1) active group music therapy (n=5), 2) receptive group music therapy (n=5), or 3) group counseling (n=4). There were 12 one-hour weekly group sessions in each arm. Main outcome measuresParticipants were assessed at baseline, 1 month (after 4 sessions), 3 months (end of interventions), and 6 months. Primary outcomes were depressive scores measured by Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Thai version. Secondary outcomes were self-rated depression score and quality of life. ResultsAt 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, both therapy groups showed statistically non-significant reduction in MADRS Thai scores when compared with the control group (group counseling). The reduction was slightly greater in the active group than the receptive group. Although there were trend toward better outcomes on self-report depression and quality of life, the differences were not statistically significant. ConclusionGroup music therapy, either active or receptive, is an interesting adjunctive treatment option for outpatients with MDD. The receptive group may reach peak therapeutic effect faster, but the active group may have higher peak effect. Group music therapy deserves further comprehensive studies.

DrumPower – music for a better community in the classroom: Group music therapy programme for violence prevention, social integration and empowerment in schools – suggestions from Community Music Therapy approaches

Abstract Prevention of violence is one of the major social responsibilities of the twenty-first century, requiring effective preventative measures at many levels. Music as a non-verbal and emotive medium provides general and specific means for promoting aggression regulation, social integration and empowerment. Different music therapeutic procedures seem to be useful and the ideas of Community Music Therapy can expand the methodical approaches in German Music Therapy. This article presents a specific music therapy programme for the prevention of violence in school classes, which has been scientifically elaborated upon over the past few years in Germany. After describing the programme, called DrumPower, the article will conclude with the question as to what extent the different approaches can be useful to each other in the future.

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.

Effects of a music-based short story on short- and long-term reading comprehension of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A cluster randomized study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of singing versus reading a short story on the short- and long-term reading comprehension of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The principal investigator collected data at three separate one-week summer camps during daily scheduled music therapy groups. Participants (N=29) were cluster randomized to experimental (sung short story) or active control (read aloud short story) groups. Participants completed five comprehension check (CC) questions within five minutes of the story being delivered as well as approximately seven hours later. Main effects for day were statistically significant and there was a significant interaction concerning day by treatment group. Mean CC scores increased from day one to day three for both the control and experimental groups. Initial comprehension on day one might have been enhanced by music but musically induced gains dissipated for days two and three, possibly due to learning effects and repetition of material over the course of three days. The use of a live music-based short story may have resulted in increased cognitive arousal and attention span aiding in immediate and long-term increased comprehension of the experimental group. This hypothesis could both inform future researchers in designing studies concerning music-based interventions to promote reading comprehension and enhance best-practice approaches in classroom and music therapy settings. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Efecto de la musicoterapia en el estado de ánimo y calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer colorrectal

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mu­sic therapy treatment on mood and quality of life of colorectal cancer patients. Method: Eighteen subjects (14 women and 4 men) who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer participated in a music therapy pro­gram consisting of eight weekly group music therapy sessions, 90 minute-session. Partici­pants completed the following instruments before and after the intervention (pre/post): the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) , the Profile of Mood States-Short Form A (POMS-A) , the Global Quality of Life Scale and the Functioning Scales of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-C30 ( EORTC-QLQ-C30 ) . A 3 item Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for Anxiety, Sadness and Physical Distress was administered at the be­ginning and end of each session (pre/post ses­sion). An Observation Behavior Form (designed ad hoc ) was used to evaluate mood after each session. A Music Therapy Program Satisfaction Questionnaire (designed ad hoc ) was adminis­tered at the end of the program. Results: Although all the obtained scores pointed to a desirable change direction, non significant changes were found in the POMS-A, HADS nor EORTC QLQ-C30. A significant im­provement was found in the Anxiety, Sadness and Physical Distress NRS items. The Music Therapy Program Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that participants perceived this type of intervention as very useful and very satis­factory.

The challenges of fostering and maintaining continuity in a music therapy group for mothers and children who meet primarily during school holidays

This paper explores the concept of continuity in the context of a long-term open music therapy group for mothers and children with learning disabilities between 5 and 18 years old. Based in a small rural village in Japan where there was no previous access to music therapy, the group has been active for 13 years and meets primarily during school holidays. Over time, up to 27 Japanese mothers with their children have participated in the group. The therapist encourages musical interaction and expression through musical improvisation and engagement with the family. The significance of continuity in therapeutic practice is explored in different ways. In addition to focusing on a case study of individual music therapy with a child on the autistic spectrum (who attended the group), this paper presents feedback from the mothers who participated together with their children in the group. Theories and methods which the music therapist has found helpful in her work with the group are also discussed, such as the “back to basics” music therapy approach (Drake 2008) which draws on attachment theory (Bowlby 1988) and the writings of Winnicott (1960, 1963, 1971). Continuity is discussed in terms of helping the group to develop a safe environment to which the mothers and children repeatedly returned. It is proposed that the process of developing this safe environment in turn, may eventually lead to the type of parent networking that may be able to support children with learning disabilities throughout their lifetime.

Psychological Intervention Effects of Group Music Therapy on Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Music therapy is a non-pharmacological treatment of the behavioral and psychological symptoms. This study was conducted to contribute to the rehabilitation of patients with idiopathic Parkinson``s disease in the areas of functionality, emotionality and sociability. Methods: The study included 35 participants, aged between 52 and 77 years, who were diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) and reported suffering from depression, chronic illness anticipated stigma, and worrying about quality of life . The patients were recruited from the department of outpatient neurology at School of Medicine, D University in B Metropolitan City. Group music therapy was performed for nine weeks. The results were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA .Results: In terms of stigma, there were significant differences between two groups and time (p<.05). Analysis of the interaction between time and service method revealed significant differences (p<.05). Between time, and the interaction between time and service method revealed significant differences in terms of quality of life (p<.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that group music therapy will be effective on the psychosocial well-being of patients with Parkinson’s disease living in assisted and independent living communities.

Stress and Fatigue Management Using Balneotherapy in a Short-Time Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective. To investigate the influence of high-salinity geothermal mineral water on stress and fatigue. Method. 180 seamen were randomized into three groups: geothermal (65), music (50), and control (65). The geothermal group was administered 108 g/L salinity geothermal water bath for 2 weeks five times a week. Primary outcome was effect on stress and fatigue. Secondary outcomes were the effect on cognitive function, mood, and pain. Results. The improvements after balneotherapy were a reduction in the number and intensity of stress-related symptoms, a reduction in pain and general, physical, and mental fatigue, and an improvement in stress-related symptoms management, mood, activation, motivation, and cognitive functions with effect size from 0.8 to 2.3. In the music therapy group, there were significant positive changes in the number of stress symptoms, intensity, mood, pain, and activity with the effect size of 0.4 to 1.1. The researchers did not observe any significant positive changes in the control group. The comparison between the groups showed that balneotherapy was superior to music therapy and no treatment group. Conclusions. Balneotherapy is beneficial for stress and fatigue reduction in comparison with music or no therapy group. Geothermal water baths have a potential as an efficient approach to diminish stress caused by working or living conditions.