Group Music Therapy Research Articles

From uprooting to replanting: on post-trauma group music therapy for pre-school children

The paper presents a case study of short-term music therapy intervention administered to three groups of pre-school children in the aftermath of a forced evacuation from their homes. The setting relates the effects of the unilateral Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and the post-trauma treatment of the evacuees. The group treatment process is described in the context of Uprooting to rePlanting (UP) model and the broader Basic Ph model of Group Coping developed for dealing with community stress. Initial results point to the role of music in building post-trauma resilience and in reducing the vulnerability of pre-schoolers to traumatic events. The case study highlights the use of music therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment with young children and stresses the way in which the community and family fabric can be harnessed in order to strengthen the coping of the individual.

Music Therapists' Perceptions of the Impact of Group Factors on the Therapeutic Songwriting Process

BackgroundTherapeutic songwriting is one music therapy approach that is practiced across the globe (Baker, Wigram, Stott, & McFerran, 2008). It aims to enhance self-esteem and develop self-confidence, and provide possibilities for choice and decision-making. The approach aims to develop a sense of self, to enable participants to externalise thoughts and feelings, to tell their stories, and to gain insight or clarify thoughts and feelings (Baker et al., 2008). Group songwriting is frequently employed with many clinical populations, particularly in psychiatry, neurorehabilitation, developmental disability, and autism spectrum disordered populations. A recent survey concluded that 42% of clinicians using songwriting employed it with small groups (, 10 participants) and 37% with large groups (Baker, Wigram, Stott, & McFerran, 2009). This study sought to identify the factors that support or constrain the songwriting process when working with groups with a particular emphasis on the group process as perceived by music therapy researchers and clinicians.Literature ReviewThere is a growing body of evidence that group therapeutic songwriting is effective in enhancing various facets of well- being in diverse clinical populations, especially substance use disorder. For studies by Baker, Gleadhill, and Dingle (2007) and Dingle, Gleadhill, and Baker (2008), the songwriting groups in rehabilitation were all open, that is, changing membership from session to session. Therefore, the therapy aimed to engage group cohesion and group processes within single sessions rather than across several sessions. Patient evaluations in the Dingle et al. (2008) study suggested that most participants experienced feeling part of a group, which countered their experience of isolation. Later, Baker, Dingle, and Gleadhill (2011) reported that diverse musical preferenc- es led to group chaos when trying to create the music to accompany the lyrics. In an effort to salvage the process, the music therapist challenged the group on their behavior, and drew on democratic voting to ease this conflict. The song they created resembled a mash-up of song fragments from pre- existing songs combined with original text created by the participants.In her work with adolescents who had misused drugs, McFerran (2011) drew on a range of group music therapy interventions, including songwriting, to stimulate group processes over a ten-session (once per week) program. She noticed that by Week 4, issues of leadership, verbal confrontations, and tensions emerged, a signal of growing authenticity by the group members. In time, this led to an agreeing to disagree'' (p. 257) and an opening up by group members. Perhaps the conflict stimulated opportunities for growth and was viewed as a process that supported movement forward rather than a feature that hindered the songwriting process.Silverman (2011) examined the effect of a songwriting program within a psychoeducational framework on coping skills and working alliance of psychiatric patients, but provided no details about the dynamics of the sessions supporting or constraining the process. Similarly, Grocke, Block, and Castle (2009) studied the impact of group songwriting for adults living with severe and enduring mental illness on quality of life. Among other benefits, group members reported that they experienced working as a team as an enjoyable aspect of the process. Again, there were no details about the group processes encountered during the program and what positive or negative effects these may have had on the process.Dalton and Krout (2005), and Krout (2011) engaged groups in songwriting experiences to facilitate the bereavement process of adolescents. Krout (2011) does not reflect substantially on the group processes. However, he did report that the group context offered individuals opportunities to share their stories with others. In doing so, common thoughts and feelings were brought to the fore and subsequently represented in the group song. …

Women with Addictions: Music Therapy Clinical Postures and Interventions

Each year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conducts the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This survey gleans data pertaining to the nationwide prevalence and incidence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use, abuse, and dependence among people aged 12 years and older. NSDUH 2010 revealed that nearly 9% of the respondents were classified with substance use disorders (SUDs) during the year prior to the survey (SAMHSA, 2011).SUDs are characterized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) by dependence or abuse of alcohol and/or illicit drugs (American Psychiatric Associ- ation, 2013). Dependence involves physical tolerance to the substance and withdrawal upon cessation, increased time spent seeking, using, and recovering from use, and failed attempts to stop. Abuse refers to a maladaptive pattern of use that negatively impacts work, school, home, or interpersonal relationships and/or that results in hazardous situations or legal troubles for the user.1Like men, women have been using alcohol and drugs since ancient times; yet we are just beginning to uncover important information about women's unique trajectory to and through addiction. (For a detailed historical view of women and addiction, the reader is referred to Straussner and Brown [2002].) We know-recognizing, of course, that the informa- tion we obtain from self-report measures is inherently limited and biased-that the prevalence of addictions has been and continues to be generally higher among men (11.6%) than women (5.9%), but that among 12- to 17-year-olds, this gap appears to be narrowing (SAMHSA, 2011). Straussner and Brown write, There is little or no denial left today: women can be and are addicts at alarming rates'' (2002, p. 34).Thanks to efforts of institutions such as the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which advance multifaceted research agendas pertaining to sex differences and addictions, we are learning about the biological and psychosocial factors that idiosyn- cratically impact the etiology and progression of women's use and abuse. Research projects initiated and supported by these types of organizations also enable us to identify women's unique needs regarding prevention and treatment (NIDA, 2011).Although less than 4% of the members of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) reportedly work in drug/ alcohol treatment settings, close to 15% report working with clients who have addictions (AMTA, 2011). Sex-specific statistics are not available, but it is certain that some of these members work with women who struggle with addictions, and it seems feasible that some would work predominantly or exclusively with women. Yet, few treatises exist to inform music therapy clinical practice with this clientele. With the present report, we hope to expand the knowledge base in this important area of clinical practice.We first present statistics and other research findings pertaining to women with addictions. Then, based on our collective experiences with women who have alcohol and drug addictions, we present postures and interventions for ethical, effective, and meaningful music therapy clinical practice. The primary author (SG) has provided intermittent group music therapy services for 6 years with women, ages 17 to 65, who reside in a 20-bed, 30-day treatment program in Ohio. Another author (MC) has extensive experience with this clientele. As an independent contractor, she provides expres- sive arts therapy (including music therapy, art, & writing) to clients in both residential and outpatient treatment programs and an affiliated halfway house in Pennsylvania. The remaining authors (JJ, AL) are students who completed a music therapy practicum in the Ohio residential program, working with a women's group twice a week for 4 months under the direct supervision of the primary author. …

The Impact of Group Music Therapy on Negative Affect of People with Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illnesses

In this study, we explored the impact of group music therapy on levels of self-reported negative affect among men and women in a residential, integrated dual diagnosis treatment program. Participants had co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental illnesses (MIs), predomi- nantly mood and anxiety disorders.Approximately 8.9 million Americans aged 18 years and older are dually diagnosed with SUDs and MIs (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2010). The high prevalence of co-occurring SUDs and mood and anxiety disorders, specifically, has been clearly estab- lished in clinical investigations (Merikangas, Dierker, & Szamari, 1998). One recent publication asserts that people with addictions are twice as likely as those in the general population to be diagnosed with these particular affective psychopathologies (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009). When compared with singular diagnoses, the combination of substance-related and mental health disorders appears to be correlated with higher frequencies of homelessness (Caton et al., 1994), incarceration (Abram & Teplin, 1991), hospitaliza- tion (Drake & Brunette, 1998), and relapse (Swofford, Kasckow, Scheller-Gilkey, & Inderbitzin, 1996), as well as poorer overall quality of life (Singh, Mattoo, Sharan, & Basu, 2005).Although the benefits of music therapy in the treatment of SUDs and various forms of MI have been singularly researched and reported, the role and efficacy of music therapy in the treatment of individuals with coexisting disorders remains comparatively under investigated-this in spite of the fact that nearly 20% of members of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) reportedly work with clients with psychiatric disorders (AMTA, 2010), many of whom undoubt- edly have multiple mental health diagnoses, as indicated above.The research team for the present study was comprised of a university faculty MT-BC (principal investigator) with nearly 30 years of clinical experience with adolescents and adults with MIs and two junior-level student music therapists (SMTs) from an AMTA-approved undergraduate training program. We were not considered clinical staff at the facility; rather we were viewed as faculty and student visitors who provided voluntary music therapy sessions as a service to the residents. The fourth author, a statistician, conducted the analysis of data and assisted with interpretation of the findings.Negative AffectDefinition and PrevalenceThe term affect, while variously defined in the professional psychology literature can be understood as an umbrella term for subjective experiences of a feelingful nature. Cheetham, Allen, Yucel, and Lubman (2010) define affect as relatively brief feelings that are experienced in response to a particular stimulus or situation'' (p. 623). In the course of a typical day, healthy individuals experience a multiplicity of these brief feelings (sometimes called emotions) with varying frequency, intensity, and duration. One's perception of emotions as positive or negative is dependent on the context and his or her emotional competence, defined as the ability to interpret and respond to feelings in self and others (Gross & Munoz, 1994). In this report, we use the term negative affect (NA) to refer to any brief emotion characterized by distress or displeasure (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). Examples include anxiety, anger, sadness, shame, fear, and so forth.Researchers have confirmed that NA figures prominently in psychopathologies, including the three most commonly represented among participants in our study: anxiety, depres- sion, and SUDs. Low positive affect and high NA (both state and trait) are major distinguishing features of anxiety and depression (Tellegen, 1985). In fact, by definition, people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder experience greater frequency, intensity, and duration of negative emotions like restlessness, irritability, worry, and fear than those without this diagnosis (APA, 2013). …

전통 북을 활용한 집단 음악 치료가 청각 장애 아동의 사회적응과 자아상 및 정서적응에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of group music therapy using the traditional drum on the; social adjustment, self-image, and emotional adjustment, of children with hearing impairment. I participated in this group music therapy using the traditional drum with 7 children with hearing impairment for 3 days a week for 6 weeks(including holidays), and each session was 50 minutes long. The evaluation form of this study is a social-emotional development measurement sheet of Meadow-Kendall, which the children`s teacher distributed to the children both pre- and post-examination. With these results, the researcher carried out Window SPSS 19 Version and searched for the experiment`s effect of measurement cause (I am not sure what this means.) through paired t-test to identify the experiment`s effects (social adjustment, self-image, emotional adjustment) as a result of group music therapy using the traditional drum for children with hearing impairment. This study arrived at the following conclusions. First, after I participated in the group music therapy using the traditional drum, the result of the comparisons of the pre-to-post average for social adjustment showed the statistical significance level of the 0.01 standard. Therefore, it was found that the group music therapy using the traditional drum had a positive effect on the social adjustment of children with hearing Impairment. Second, after I participated in the group music therapy using the traditional drum, the result of the comparisons of the pre-to-post average for self-image development showed the statistical significance level of the 0.01 standard. Therefore, the group music therapy using the traditional drum had a positive effect on the self-image of children with hearing impairment. Third, after I participated in the group music therapy using the traditional drum, the result of the comparisons of the pre-to-post average for emotional adjustment showed the statistical significance level of the 0.01 standard. Therefore, the group music therapy using the traditional drum had a positive effect on the emotional adjustment of children with hearing impairment.

집단음악요법이 조현병 환자의 정신증상 및 대인관계에 미치는 효과

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of group music therapy on psychiatric symptoms and interpersonal relationship in patient with schizophrenia. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 63 patients with schizophrenia at S psychiatric sanatorium in D city. Thirty two patients were assigned to experimental group and thirty one patients were assigned to control group. Data were collected from August 4 to September 25, 2011. The group music therapy was conducted for 60 minutes, 8 times per week for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, x 2 test and t-test with SPSS/WIN 19.0 version. Results: Experimental group receiving group music therapy showed significant improvements of psychiatric symptoms and interpersonal relationship. Conclusion: The study results indicate that group music therapy is an effective intervention program in improving psychiatric symptoms and interpersonal relationship of patients with schizophrenia.

The effect of music therapy compared with general recreational activities in reducing agitation in people with dementia: a randomised controlled trial

This study aimed to compare the effects of music therapy with general recreational day activities in reducing agitation in people with dementia, residing in nursing home facilities. In a randomised controlled design, residents with dementia (n = 94) were allocated to either music therapy or recreational activities. Both music therapy and general activities were offered twice weekly for 4 months. Changes in agitation were measured with a modified Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) at four intervals on each intervention day. A mixed model analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy, compared with general activities, on CMAI scores at 4 h after the intervention, controlled for CMAI scores at 1 h before the session and session number. Data were analysed for 77 residents (43 randomised to music therapy and 34 to general activities). In both groups, the intervention resulted in a decrease in agitated behaviours from 1 h before to 4 h after each session. This decrease was somewhat greater in the music therapy group than in the general activities group, but this difference was statistically not significant (F = 2.885, p = 0.090) and disappeared completely after adjustment for Global Deterioration Scale stage (F = 1.500; p = 0.222). Both music therapy and recreational activities lead to a short-term decrease in agitation, but there was no additional beneficial effect of music therapy over general activities. More research is required to provide insight in the effects of music therapy in reducing agitation in demented older people.

Fifteen-minute music intervention reduces pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients

PurposeOncology patients may respond to radiation treatment with anxiety expressed as stress, fear, depression, and frustration. This study aimed to investigate effects of music intervention on reducing pre-radiotherapy anxiety in oncology patients. MethodsQuasi-experimental study with purposeful sampling was conducted in the Department of Radiation Oncology, at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Subjects were assigned into a music group (n = 100) receiving 15 min of music therapy prior to radiation and a control group (n = 100) receiving 15 min rest prior to radiation. Both groups were evaluated for pre- and post-test anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physiological indicators of anxiety were measured pre- and post-test. ResultsBaseline State/Trait scores and vital signs were comparable between groups (P > 0.05). Mean change in pre- and post-test State/Trait scores showed significant decreases from baseline to post-test in both groups (all P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between music therapy and control groups in mean change of State anxiety scores (mean decreases 7.19 and 1.04, respectively; P < 0.001) and Trait anxiety scores (mean decreases 2.77 and 1.13, respectively; P = 0.036). In vital signs, both groups had significant decreases in pre- and post-test heart rate and respiration rate (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference in mean change of systolic pressure was found between music and control groups (−5.69 ± 0.41 mmHg vs. −0.67 ± 1.29 mmHg, respectively; P = 0.009). ConclusionsMusic therapy decreased State anxiety levels, Trait anxiety levels and systolic blood pressure in oncology patients who received the intervention prior to radiotherapy.

Bereavement, the BAMT and the Cardiff Course

There are two aspects to this essay, which uses the idea of bereavement processes to explore both the development of a bereavement policy in a special school and also the loss of the music therapy training course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Both sections of the essay are connected by the concept of the unspeakable. The first section follows a clinical case of a music therapy group during which the death of a group member was not acknowledged, while the second section looks at our professional organisation's difficulty in acknowledging the loss of a UK training course. Both aspects are discussed in terms of unspeakable elements which if left unexpressed can hinder a reparative process. The thinking about this leads on from the findings of two previous BJMT articles, both from Volume 24 (2010): ‘Organisational Anxiety, Envy and Defences: In and Out of the Music Therapy Room’, by Louise Neale (2010: 42–48) and ‘A Death in the Family’, by Rosanne Tyas (2010: 22–28).

Music Therapy May Increase Breastfeeding Rates Among Mothers of Premature Newborns: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of music therapy on breastfeeding rates among mothers of premature newborns. METHOD: In an open randomized controlled trial, mothers of premature neonates weighting ≤1750g were submitted to music therapy sessions three times a week for 60 minutes. The primary endpoint was breastfeeding rate (exclusive, predominant or continuous) at the moment of infant discharge and at the first follow-up visit (7-15 days after discharge). RESULTS: A total of 94 mothers (48 in the music therapy group and 46 in the comparison group) were studied. Breastfeeding was more frequent in the music therapy group at the moment of the infant hospital discharge (RR: 1.22; 95% CI: 0.99-1.51; P = .06; NNT = 6.3) and at the first follow-up visit (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.01-1.57; P = .03; NNT = 5.6). Breastfeeding rates were higher in the intervention group at day 30 and day 60 after discharge, but these results were not statistically significant (RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.73-5.6 and RR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.95-1.71 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy increased breastfeeding rates in premature newborns at discharge, as well as 7-15 days later. This approach could be useful for increasing breastfeeding rates among premature newborns.[Editors note: The article presented here is republished from Jornal de Pediatria, 2011, 87(3), 206-212, doi: 10.2223/JPED.2086, with the kind permission from the publisher and the authors.]

Effects of music therapy on facial expression of individuals with Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study

Neurological degeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects the verbal as well as the nonverbal communicative potential of individuals diagnosed with PD. Communicating with significant others is crucial to quality of life and maintaining healthy and satisfying relationships. Evidence indicates that Music Therapy (MT) improves communication in a range of neurologically impaired populations; however there is no research that has studied its effect on the facial expressions of PD patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of group music therapy on facial expression in individuals with PD. Ten patients diagnosed with PD were recruited from a large demographic study at the Haukeland Hospital Rehabilitation Centre in Bergen, Norway. Two groups, with five individuals each group, met once a week for a 60 minute music therapy session for 20 weeks. Facial expressions were measured using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) tool, and the facial mobility and engagement evaluation. FACS results were measured twice by different observers to ensure stability (interrater reliability) of findings. Interrater reliability was found at ICC = 0.89. A large effect size was found in facial expression between pre- and post-test measurements taken during singing (ES = 0.9). A large effect size was found in both sets of data (singing and speaking) (ES = 0.8). A moderate effect size was found in facial expression between pre- and post-test measurements taken during speaking (ES = 0.5). We conclude that this MT program was found successful in significantly enhancing facial expression in individuals with PD.

Randomized Trial Assessing Fatigue in Women with Breast ́s or Gynecology ́s Cancer During Radiation Therapy

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a frequent side effect of radiotherapy, and may interfere with self-esteem, social activities, and quality of life. The authors investigated the influence of music therapy (MT) on the reduction of fatigue in women with breast or gynecological malignant neoplasia during radiotherapy. OBJETIVE: To study the influence of music therapy in reduction of Fatigue related to cancer in patients with breast’s or gynecology’s cancer, during the radiotherapy treatment. METHODS: This is a randomized controled study (Control Group - CG e Musictherapy Group - MTG) to assess fatigue, quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-F and FACT – G) version 4 and symptoms of depression using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in women undergoing radiotherapy in three distinct moments (during the first and the last week of radiotherapy, and on the week of the intermediary phase). Women allocated in MTG, in addition to the scales described above, answered the Music therapy Questionary (MQ), and the Subjective Impression of the Subject’s Questionary in last meeting. Music Therapy sessions were individual and lasted an average of 40 minutes. Music therapeutic techniques used were Musical Audition (MA) and Therapeutic Musical Audition (TMA). RESULTS: In the analysis between groups, Functional Assesment of Cancer Therapy: Fatigue (FACIT-F) demonstrated significance related to Trial Outcome Index (TOI) (p=0,011), Functional Assesment of Cancer Therapy – Geral (FACT-G) (p=0,001) FACIT-F (p=0,005) areas to the MGT compared to CG. In comparisson made inside the same group results pointed a significant worsening for women. FACT-F results were significant regarding Trial Outcome Index (TOI), synthesis of the Physical and functional well-being areas of FACT-F (p = 0.011), FACT-G (p = 0.005), FACT-F (p = 0.001) for MTG compared with CG. The depressive symptoms were reduced to the minimum levels in the MTG (p = 0,005) with risk reduction of 74% (RR = 0,26 e CI 95% 0,10 - 0,70). Music Therapy Questionnaire showed that 59,3% of the patients didn’t know what music therapy was, and 53,7% thought that Music Therapy was a relaxing activity. In the end of the process, based on Subjective Impression of the Subject’s Questionnaire 98,1% of the women afirmated that Music Therapy made difference in their lives, 96,2% reported a positive perception of music therapy, 75,5% noticed less fatigue and 84,9% reported less stress. CONCLUSIONS: Individual MT sessions are effective to reduce fatigue related to cancer and symptoms of depression, as well as to improve quality of life for women with breast or gynecological cancer undergoing radiotherapy. KEY-WORD: Fatigue, Quality of Life, Breast Cancer, Gynecological Cancer, Radiotherapy, Music therapy

Music Therapy Reduces Pain in Palliative Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ContextTreatment of pain in palliative care patients is challenging. Adjunctive methods of pain management are desirable. Music therapy offers a nonpharmacologic and safe alternative. ObjectivesTo determine the efficacy of a single music therapy session to reduce pain in palliative care patients. MethodsTwo hundred inpatients at University Hospitals Case Medical Center were enrolled in the study from 2009 to 2011. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: standard care alone (medical and nursing care that included scheduled analgesics) or standard care with music therapy. A clinical nurse specialist administered pre- and post-tests to assess the level of pain using a numeric rating scale as the primary outcome, and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale and the Functional Pain Scale as secondary outcomes. The intervention incorporated music therapist-guided autogenic relaxation and live music. ResultsA significantly greater decrease in numeric rating scale pain scores was seen in the music therapy group (difference in means [95% CI] −1.4 [−2.0, −0.8]; P<0.0001). Mean changes in Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scores did not differ between study groups (mean difference −0.3, [95% CI] −0.8, 0.1; P>0.05). Mean change in Functional Pain Scale scores was significantly greater in the music therapy group (difference in means −0.5 ([95% CI] −0.8, 0.3; P<0.0001). ConclusionA single music therapy intervention incorporating therapist-guided autogenic relaxation and live music was effective in lowering pain in palliative care patients.

Effect of oriental medicine music therapy on patients with Hwa-byung: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHwa-byung, a Korean culture-bound syndrome with both psychological and somatic symptoms, is also known as ‘anger syndrome’. It includes various physical symptoms including anxiety, a feeling of overheating, a sensation of pressure on the chest, heart palpitations, respiratory stuffiness, insomnia, and anxiety.Methods/designThe proposed study is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with two parallel arms: an oriental medicine music therapy (OMMT) group and a control music therapy (CMT) group. In total, 48 patients will be enrolled into the trial. The first visit will be the screening visit. At baseline (visit 2), all participants fulfilling both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria will be split and randomly divided into two equal groups: the OMMT and the CMT (n = 24 each). Each group will receive treatment sessions over the course of 4 weeks, twice per week, for eight sessions in total. The primary outcome is the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the secondary outcomes are the Hwa-byung scale (H-scale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Hwa-byung visual analogue scale (H-VAS) for primary symptoms, the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), and levels of salivary cortisol. Patients will be asked to complete questionnaires at the baseline visit (visit 2), after the last treatment session (visit 9), and at 4 weeks after the end of all trial sessions (visit 10). From the baseline (visit 2) through the follow-up (visit 10), the entire process will take a total of 53 days.DiscussionThis proposed study targets patients with Hwa-byung, especially those who have exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Therefore, the primary outcome is set to measure the level of anxiety. OMMT is music therapy combined with traditional Korean medicinal theories. Unlike previously reported music therapies, for which patients simply listen to music passively, in OMMT, patients actively move their bodies and play the music. Because Hwa-byung is caused by an accumulation of blocked emotions and anger inside the body, OMMT, because of its active component, is expected to be more efficacious than pre-existing music therapies.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN11939282

The Effect of Group Music Therapy on Mood, Speech, and Singing in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease -- A Feasibility Study

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder where patients exhibit impairments in speech production. Few studies have investigated the influence of music interventions on vocal abilities of individuals with PD. To evaluate the influence of a group voice and singing intervention on speech, singing, and depressive symptoms in individuals with PD. Ten patients diagnosed with PD participated in this one-group, repeated measures design study. Participants received the sixty-minute intervention, in a small group setting once a week for 20 consecutive weeks. Speech and singing quality were acoustically analyzed using a KayPentax Multi-Dimensional Voice Program, voice ability using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and depressive symptoms using the Montgomery and Asberg Depression rating scale (MADRS). Measures were taken at baseline (Time 1), after 10 weeks of weekly sessions (Time 2), and after 20 weeks of weekly sessions (Time 3). Significant changes were observed for five of the six singing quality outcomes at Time 2 and 3, as well as voice range and the VHI physical subscale at Time 3. No significant changes were found for speaking quality or depressive symptom outcomes; however, there was an absence of decline on speaking quality outcomes over the intervention period. Significant improvements in singing quality and voice range, coupled with the absence of decline in speaking quality support group singing as a promising intervention for persons with PD. A two-group randomized control study is needed to determine whether the intervention contributes to maintenance of speaking quality in persons with PD.

Using the MOGCLASS in Group Music Therapy With Individuals With Muscular Dystrophy: A Pilot Study

This pilot study aims to survey muscular dystrophy (MD) clients’ perception of enjoyment, motivation, and success during music therapy group sessions with the use of music assistive technology, Musical mObile Group for Classroom Learning And Study in Schools (MOGCLASS). Convenience sampling was used to recruit a total of 7 participants with MD and progressive muscle weakness. The study design comprised 3 sessions using acoustic musical instruments, followed by 3 sessions using MOGCLASS. Sessions were conducted by a board-certified music therapist. All other variables (eg, venue, session plans) were controlled throughout the study. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of varaince test. MOGCLASS achieved higher perceived enjoyment, success, and motivation, though the difference was not statistically significant, possibly due to the small sample size. Music therapy is appropriate and enjoyable for clients with MD. There is a great need for music therapy research for clients with MD, with emphasis on the use of assistive technology.

The Relationship Among Shame, Self-Efficacy, Supervisory Relationship, Attachment Style, and Evaluation Anxiety in Music Therapy Group Supervision

The Relationship Among Shame, Self-Efficacy, Supervisory Relationship, Attachment Style, and Evaluation Anxiety in Music Therapy Group Supervision

Effects of active music therapy interventions on attendance in people with severe mental illnesses: Two pilot studies

The purpose of these brief pilot studies was to determine if there were differences between active music therapy and passive music listening in attendance rates, durational attendance, and treatment perceptions in people with severe mental illnesses. In both studies, the researchers conducted a series of active group music therapy interventions (lyric analysis, songwriting, music game, facilitated percussion interventions, and singalong) and passive group music listening sessions (recorded music via iPod) each for five days. During the first study, a higher percentage (15.53%) of patients on the unit attended the active music therapy sessions than the passive music listening sessions. Concerning treatment perceptions, participants in the active music therapy condition tended to have slightly higher mean perceptions of enjoyment and comfort than participants in the passive music listening condition. During the second study, participants spent more time in active music therapy sessions than in passive music listening sessions. Participants in the active music therapy condition also tended to have higher perceptions of helpfulness and amount learned concerning managing their mental illnesses than participants in the passive music listening condition. Results may have implications for funding psychiatric music therapy. Limitations and suggestions for future research are provided.

Personal Reflections on working as a Music Therapist, Music Therapy Groups and Music Making

This paper explores how studying clinical work can be a rich experience and lead to personal and musical development. In this paper I describe completing a master’s project on group work for children who have autism. This paper describes how analysing a group in detail (using music and video coding analysis) and reading literature on music therapy and group work, led to a personal prompting to reflect on my own musical experiences and identity and to develop more as a musician. It explores how the roles of music therapist, student and musician can influence each other an be blurred together, and how I experienced cross-over in my personal and musical life.

Effects of Music Therapy on Intravitreal Injections: A Randomized Clinical Trial

To investigate the effects of music therapy on anxiety, perceived pain, and satisfaction in patients undergoing intravitreal injections in the outpatient setting. This is a randomized clinical trial. Seventy-three patients were recruited from the retina clinic at 1 institution and randomized into a music therapy (n=37) or control (n=36) group. Prior to injection, patients completed the state portion of the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S). The music therapy group listened to classical music through computer speakers while waiting for and during the injection. The control group underwent the injection in the same setting without music. Afterward, all patients completed another STAI-S and a satisfaction and pain questionnaire. The main outcome measures were objective anxiety derived from STAI-S scores and subjective pain and anxiety from the post procedure questionnaire. The music therapy group had a greater decrease in anxiety than the control group (P=0.0480). Overall, 73% of all patients requested music for future injections (P=0.0001). The music therapy group (84%) requested music in future injections more frequently than the control group (61%) (P=0.0377). Both groups reported similar levels of pain (P=0.5879). Classical music before and during intravitreal injections decreases anxiety in patients without decreasing pain. Most patients desire to have music during future injections. Music therapy is a low-cost, easy, safe intervention that reduces anxiety during intravitreal injections in the outpatient setting.