Music Therapy Sessions Research Articles

Parenting in the Face of Trauma: Music Therapy to Support Parent-Child Dyads Affected by War and Displacement.

The literature highlights the profound psychological impact of war on children, families, and communities, emphasizing the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other symptoms among affected individuals. Interventions, such as Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and music therapy, show promise in mitigating trauma effects, underscoring the need for holistic approaches that address familial and community dynamics alongside individual well-being. Aiming to explore the influences of dyadic music therapy sessions on parents' capacity to support their children, this study involved four families displaced from their home-kibbutz as result of a terrorist attack. All dyads participated in music therapy sessions with a focus on parent-child interactions and trauma processing (CPP informed). Embedded in a qualitative, phenomenological approach, the research utilized interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and micro-analytic methods to explore meaningful moments in the music therapy sessions. Findings identified four central categories: (1) Discovering the child's grounding song: identifying resources; (2) Musical improvisation sets the grounds for parent-child mutual recognition of the child's traumatic experience; (3) Musical performance empowers child and parent; (4) A sense of agency is gained through controlling the musical environment. The significance of restoring the children's freedom of play, the parents' sense of competency, and of enhancing families' capacity to connect to their traumatic experiences through the musical environment is discussed.

The Effect of Online Music Therapy Interventions on Reducing Stress Levels in Small Hotel Managers: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Abstract The rapidly changing business environment and increasing uncertainties due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic since 2020 have led to heightened stress levels among managers. This study employed a mixed-method design to examine the effects of online music therapy interventions on reducing stress levels in small hotel managers. Thirteen managers participated in the online music therapy program, which consisted of six weekly music therapy sessions and self-guided music interventions for practice during the week. The music therapy interventions included music-assisted relaxation, improvisation, music listening with drawing, moving with music, song discussion, songwriting, and singing. The intake questionnaire collected participants’ demographic information and musical backgrounds. The Thai Perceived Stress Scale-10 (T-PSS-10) and Visual Analog Scale of Stress (VAS-S) were used to measure perceived stress levels. A paired t-test analysis compared the average participants’ perceived stress scores between pre and post-tests. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in perceived stress scores. Both the VAS-S for music therapy interventions and self-guided music interventions showed significant decreases after participation in each music therapy session and self-guided practice. In conclusion, online music therapy interventions can effectively reduce the perceived stress levels of managers facing uncertainty in small hotel businesses.

A study on music therapy aimed at psychological trauma recovery for bereaved families driven by artificial intelligence.

This study explores the effectiveness of music therapy in repairing psychological trauma in bereaved families, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its potential therapeutic impact. It begins with an analysis of the current situation faced by bereaved families, identifying the psychological challenges they experience. The research design included the recruitment of participants from bereaved families, who were then divided into an experimental group and a control group. An optimized Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network model was constructed to analyze music therapy data, tailored specifically to capture the nuances of this therapeutic process. The experimental procedure detailed the specific operations involved in the music therapy sessions and established a clear comparison framework between the two groups. The performance of the proposed LSTM model demonstrated high accuracy (0.85), precision (0.86), recall (0.84), and F 1-score (0.85), indicating its effectiveness in predicting treatment outcomes. When compared to the Self-Reporting Inventory-90 (SCL-90) scale, the model captured the trend of treatment effects with a high level of accuracy and reliability. Notably, participants numbered 2, 6, and 8 in the experimental group showed substantial improvement rates of 67.21%, 71.45%, and 75.67%, respectively, in their psychological health issues. The comparative analysis between the experimental and control groups confirmed that the music therapy approach, as guided by the proposed LSTM model, led to a more significant improvement in psychological health issues for bereaved families. This suggests that the model offers a promising avenue for enhancing the effectiveness of music therapy in this context.

Music Therapy for Pain Management for People With Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To improve mechanistic understanding, this randomized controlled trial examined anxiety, mood, emotional support, and pain-related self-efficacy as mediators of music therapy for pain management in people with advanced cancer. People with advanced cancer who had chronic pain were randomized (1:1) to 6 weekly individual music therapy or social attention control sessions. We measured mediators and pain outcomes (pain interference and pain intensity) using self-report measures at baseline, session 4, and post-intervention. We included outcome expectancy/treatment credibility, music reward, adult playfulness, and baseline pain interference and pain intensity as moderators. Participants (n=92) had a mean age of 56years. Most were female (71.7%), white (47.8%) or Black (39.1%), and had stage IV cancer (75%). Self-efficacy was found to be a significant mediator of music therapy for pain intensity (indirect effect ab=0.79, 95% CI 0.01-1.82) and pain interference (indirect effect ab=1.16, 95% CI 0.02-2.51), while anxiety, mood, and emotional support were not. The mediating effect of pain-related self-efficacy was significantly moderated by baseline pain interference but not by the other moderators. The findings suggest that the impact of music therapy on chronic pain is mediated by self-efficacy. This knowledge can help optimize music therapy interventions for chronic pain management for people with advanced cancer by capitalizing on teaching music-based self-management strategies. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03432247.

Study protocol of a randomized control trial on the effectiveness of improvisational music therapy for autistic children.

Music therapy is the clinical use of musical interventions to improve mental and physical health across multiple domains, including social communication. Autistic children, who have difficulties in social communication and often increased anxiety, tend to show a strong preference for music, because it can be structured and systematic, and therefore more predictable than social interaction. This makes music therapy a promising medium for therapeutic support and intervention. Previous clinical trials of music therapy compared to traditional therapy for autistic children have shown encouraging but nevertheless mixed results. The primary aim is to conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of improvisational music therapy for autistic children and test its effectiveness in at improving social communication and wellbeing, and to reduce anxiety. The RCT will be conducted with 200 autistic children in the UK aged 7 to 11 years old. Participants will be randomly assigned to either improvisational music therapy or support as usual. The trial will be an assessor-blind, pragmatic two-arm cluster RCT comparing the impact of 12-weeks of improvisational music therapy in addition to support as usual, vs. support as usual for autistic children. Researchers who are blind to which arm the children are in will conduct assessments and obtain data via caregiver reports. The primary outcome will be the absolute change in the total score of the Brief Observation of Social Communication Change (BOSCC) assessed at baseline, T1 (13weeks) and T2 (39weeks) follow-ups. The BOSCC consists of specific items that were developed to identify changes in social-communication behaviours. Secondary outcome measures include: (1) Parent reported anxiety scale for youth with ASD (Note that we do not use the term 'ASD' or Autism Spectrum Disorder, because many autistic people feel it is stigmatising. Instead, we use the term 'autism')(PRAS-ASD) (2) Young Child Outcome Rating Scale, for wellbeing (YCORS), (3) Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); and (4) Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale (VABS). (5) The Children's Communication Checklist-2 (CCC-2) will be completed to evaluate pragmatic speech with fluent speakers only; (6) The Music Engagement Scale (MES); and (7) Assessment of the Quality of Relationship (AQR) will be used to evaluate the child-therapist relationships using video-analysis of music therapy sessions. Additional data will be collected by administering the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II), Music at Home Questionnaire (M@H), and children's versions of the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and Systemizing Quotient (SQ). Audio and video data from the therapy sessions will be collected and analysed (using both human and computer-based feature-coding, e.g., machine learning and AI-driven methods) to identify how music and non-musical interactions foster change throughout the therapy. This study aims to observe if the interactions, engagement, and therapeutic modalities fostered during music therapy sessions can translate to non-musical contexts and improve autistic children's social communication skills, identifying possible mediating factors contributing to the effectiveness of music therapy, potentially informing policy making and governance. This randomised control trial is registered with the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine: https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=NCT06016621 , clinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0601662, Registration Date 19th August 2023.

Video analysis of music therapy interaction for children experiencing neurodevelopment delay

Children experiencing neurodevelopmental delay have motor, linguistic, and cognitive problems that affect their skills in various domains, especially interpersonal ones. Since music therapy is based on musical exchange, these three case studies explore how child–music therapists’ interactions change within and between sessions. Moreover, we evaluated whether the children’s and parents’ musical interaction changed in everyday life. Three children experiencing neurodevelopmental delay participated in 70 psychodynamic music therapy sessions, relying primarily on musical improvisation techniques. The initial (i.e. pre-test) and final sessions (i.e. post-test) were video recorded and codified with the Kategoriensystem Musik Therapie (KAMUTHE) in the 10th and 30th minutes. Videos were analyzed using the Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS). In addition, parents completed the Music in Everyday Life (MEL) Scale to evaluate how they experienced musical activities with their children. Reliable Change Indexes (RCIs) were calculated to assess significant changes in everyday musical activities. Based on video analysis, three children were more active at the 30th minute and the post-test, while Music Therapists stimulated them less. In addition, therapists adapted the activities and stimuli based on the children’s responses. Based on RCIs, parents reported an increased musical engagement with two children. Music therapy might help children experiencing neurodevelopmental delays modify their interaction style and improve motor and interpersonal skills.

Introduction to Guitar Techniques and Genres for the Utilization in Improvised Active Music Therapy

Abstract Guitar is a popular instrument for music therapy clinicians and students because it is portable and musically versatile. Guitar training is increasingly shared through music therapy literature, professional conferences, and workshops. However, there is still a lack of literature regarding the use of guitar improvization techniques for beginner and intermediate-level music therapists. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide the first simplified and standardized guitar methodological system for beginner and intermediate-level music therapy students and clinicians for the use in Improvised Active Music Therapy sessions in neurological rehabilitation. Improving guitar skills is important to increase confidence among students and clinicians and to enhance clinical outcomes. The manuscript is divided into two groups of exercises. The first group consists of four exercises with chord progressions. The second group consists of six strumming exercises. The strumming exercises should be combined with the chord progressions in the first group to expand upon the first position and aesthetic qualities. The exercises incorporate extended, chromatic, and suspended chords in Rock & Roll, Blues, Hip-Hop and rap, Reggae, folk, country, Latin American, and Spanish styles in key of E major. The goal is to stimulate the skill of music therapy students and clinicians, and perhaps add some extra motivation and ideas for guitar improvization skills to enhance clinical outcomes.

Nursing intervention in older adults with insomnia

Introduction. Aging is loosely related to the chronological age of the person and in turn to the loss of physical, functional, psychological and social capacities. Sleep is a physiological process of fascination and of vital importance for the comprehensive health of the human being, the aging process alters the stages of sleep, which in the long term has side effects and represents economic costs for those older adults who are prescribed with pharmacological treatments. The amount of sleep remains constant throughout adult life, which is why doctors recommend that older adults sleep 7 to 8 hours a day to meet their sleep needs. There are sleep problems in older adults and one of them is insomnia, which is reflected in their daily lives, which is why music therapy appears as a non-pharmacological treatment to help reduce insomnia. Objetive. To evaluate the effect of nursing intervention in older adults with insomnia. Methodology. This research is quantitative, quasi-experimental in design, longitudinal and descriptive in scope. It was carried out in a period between April 2024-June 2024, in the province of Tungurahua, Canton Ambato, Parroquia La Matriz, Neighborhood Ciudadela España. The sample was 21 older adults from the Hogar de Ancianos Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. The results obtained in this research demonstrate that music therapy as a nursing intervention has positive effects on older adults with insomnia. Conclusion. With the application of the Athens Test before and after the music therapy sessions, a significant improvement was shown in various aspects of sleep, such as difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakenings and total sleep duration.

Enriched music-supported therapy for individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Many stroke survivors still present with upper-limb paresis six months post-stroke, impacting their autonomy and quality of life (QoL). We designed an enriched Music-supported Therapy (eMST) program to reduce disability in this population. We evaluated the eMST's effectiveness in improving functional abilities and QoL in chronic stroke individuals compared to the conventional motor program Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP). We conducted a pragmatic two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up and masked assessment. The eMST involved playing instruments during individual self-administered and group music therapy sessions. The GRASP consisted of self-administered motor exercises using daily objects. Both interventions were completed at home with telemonitoring and involved four one-hour weekly sessions for 10weeks. The primary outcome was upper-limb motor function measured with the Action Research Arm Test. Secondary outcomes included motor impairment, daily life motor performance, cognitive functions, emotional well-being, QoL, self-regulation, and self-efficacy. Intention-to-treat (ITT)and per-protocol(PP) analyses were conducted including participants who discontinued the intervention and those who completed it entirely, respectively. Fifty-eight chronic stroke patients were randomized to the eMST-group (n = 26; age: 64.2 ± 12.5; 6[23.1%] females; 2.8 ± 2.9years post-stroke), and the control group (n = 32; age: 62.2 ± 12; 8[25%] females; 1.8 ± 6.2years post-stroke). The eMST-group had more participants achieving a clinically relevant improvement in motor impairment post-intervention than the control group for the ITT (55% vs 21.6%; OR = 4.5 (95% CI 1.4-14); p = .019) and PP analyses (60% vs 20%; OR = 6 (95% CI 1.5-24.7); p = .024), sustained at follow-up. The eMST-group reported greater improvements in emotion (difference = 11.1 (95% CI 0.8-21.5; p = 0.36) and participation (difference = 10.3 (95% CI 0.6-25.9); p = 0.41) subscales of QoL, and higher enjoyment during the sessions (difference = 1 (95% CI 0.3-1.5); p = 0.12). No changes were found in other outcomes. eMST demonstrated superiority over conventional motor rehabilitation program in enhancing upper-limb functions and QoL in chronic stroke individuals. ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04507542).

Music Therapy with Preterm Infants and Their Families after Hospital Discharge: An Integrative Review.

After discharge from a neonatal unit, families of preterm infants may require therapeutic support to address challenges related to their infant/s' development, changed family circumstances, and/or parent wellbeing. This integrative review (IR) sought to examine the impact of music therapy on preterm infants and their families post-hospital discharge. A systematic search encompassing seven databases resulted in 83 citations, with six studies initially meeting the inclusion criteria. A further six studies were evaluated and selected upon their publication during the review process. Each study was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), followed by the identification of major themes and sub-themes. Our results suggest that music therapy contributed to creating supportive physical and metaphorical environments for preterm infants and their families, in which they could acquire essential skills, tools, and resources for fostering communication and connection with one another. Preterm infants and toddlers may have also enhanced their developmental skills through music therapy sessions post-discharge. Further investigation into the impact of music therapy on preterm infants and their caregivers at different timepoints after hospital discharge is recommended, as well as a comparison of individual and group music therapy outcomes on infant development and parent health. Future research should include a broader spectrum of family members, along with caregivers from diverse family structures and gender identities, reflecting practices already established in some clinical settings.

Music Sentiment Analysis and its Application in Music Therapy Based on AI Technology

Music therapy, enriched by the integration of AI technology, represents a cutting-edge approach to harnessing the therapeutic power of music for mental and emotional well-being. AI algorithms are employed to analyze individual preferences, emotional states, and physiological responses, enabling the creation of personalized music interventions. These interventions can range from mood-enhancing playlists to dynamically generated compositions tailored to the specific needs of the listener. This paper introduces an Optimized Sentimental n-gram Classifier (OSC) model tailored for application in the context of music therapy. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology and sentiment analysis techniques, the OSC model aims to enhance the understanding and classification of sentiments expressed during music therapy sessions. The OSC model uses the n-gram classifier for the estimation of the feature vector in the music speech signal. The classifier model comprises of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the evaluation of the music therapy for the sentimental analysis. Through extensive experimentation and evaluation, the OSC model demonstrates high accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores across multiple iterations, indicating its effectiveness in accurately predicting sentiments and classifying sessions. The model's robust performance suggests its potential to assist therapists in better understanding participants' emotional states and tailoring interventions accordingly. By providing a valuable tool for sentiment analysis in music therapy, the OSC model contributes to advancing the integration of AI technology into healthcare practices, with implications for improving patient outcomes and well-being.

Influence of Music Therapy on the Improvement of Perceived Well-Being Indices in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Hormonal Treatment

ABSTRACT Background Although there are a growing number of studies investigating the benefits of music therapy interventions with patients diagnosed with cancer, few studies have taken an approach that specifically examines indices of perceived well-being in women with breast cancer. Overcoming these challenges can be an important step in the recovery process. Purpose The purpose of our study was to know the positive influence of responsive music therapy through gong sounds, emitted live, on different areas of well-being of women with breast cancer. Methods Four individual sessions of responsive music therapy with live gong sounds were conducted in which three women (M = 54; SD = 5.57) participated both in the music therapy program and in the completion of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Breast (FACT-B) and a semi-structured interview with ad hoc designed questions about perception of qualitative aspects. Results The results showed that the music therapy sessions significantly improved, p = .043 < 0.05, various domains of perceived well-being in women with breast cancer. Discussion This article highlights several key benefits associated with music therapy and various indices of well-being in women with breast cancer, identifies the limitations of the study, and discusses the findings. It is considered necessary to replicate this practice in future studies that include a larger sample and age range over longer follow-up periods. Translation for Health Education Practice The text highlights the importance of considering music therapy as a complementary intervention in comprehensive cancer care programs, which may be relevant to health educators when considering intervention and support approaches for cancer patients. Health education interventions targeting the enhancement of cancer patients’ well-being should incorporate music therapy techniques.

Building relationships in music therapy: A case study with a boy with Down syndrome based on transcendental phenomenological analysis

This practice-based article came from experience that occurred during a sixthsemester internship at a primary school in Denmark with special classes for children with learning disabilities. The client of this case is a nine-year-old boy with Down syndrome. This qualitative case study investigates the impact of relationships in music therapy and how they can influence the development of the therapy. The study explores how the relationship between a music therapist and a client with Down syndrome affects the therapeutic outcome and the client’s development and participation in music therapy. This study came from a qualitative case study with material derived from the four music therapy sessions using sequences of video recordings. Based on a phenomenological approach, the material had been analysed through microanalysis using thematic coding, horizontal analysis, and qualitative analysis. The results indicate that relationships are the key to development in music therapy. The client shows more initiative and becomes more independent throughout the sessions. Finally, this study indicates that the client’s communicative skills and the development of the music therapy sessions show improvement as the relationship between the music therapist and the client improves.

Interaction-focused music therapy with cancer-affected children and their significant others: a randomized controlled feasibility study with subsequent intervention (INMUT)

BackgroundPaediatric oncology/haematology patients and their families are confronted with a life-threatening situation for which music therapy can be a cross-linguistic field of action. The creative act of making music together offers the possibility to strengthen competences and make conflicts tangible. Besides its complementing of evidence-based biomedical care, there is little research on the feasibility and efficacy of interactive music therapy including the diagnosed child and their significant others.MethodsWe conducted an assessor blind, prospective, multicentric feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) with subsequent intervention. Including overall 52 child-significant other dyads, INMUT investigates interaction-focused music therapy with cancer-affected children and their significant others (INMUT-KB; n = 21) compared to music therapy only with the child (MUT-K; n = 21) and a wait-list group (WLG; n = 10). The measurement points include the screening for a cancer diagnosis, psychometric baseline (pre-T1), initial assessment (T1/T2), music therapy sessions (T3–T9), final assessment (T10), final psychometric evaluation (post-T10), and 3-month follow-up (cat-T11). Feasibility and acceptability of the (1) research methodology, (2) intervention and (3) estimation of effect sizes will be assessed using qualitative and quantitative data. The proposed primary outcome includes the parent–child interaction (APCI), and the proposed secondary outcomes refer to subjective goal achievement (GAS), quality of life (KINDL), system-related functional level (EXIS), psychosocial stress (BAS), psychosomatic complaints (SCL-9k), and resources (WIRF). We plan to investigate the efficacy of INMUT-KB and MUT-K post-intervention (post-T10) within the RCT design and at 3-month follow-up (cat-T11).DiscussionThis study will provide insights into the feasibility of INMUT and the final sample needed for a confirmatory RCT. We will reflect on successfully implemented study procedures and, if necessary, provide recommendations for changes considering the design, procedures, measures, and statistical analyses. The discussion will conclude with an evaluation whether a confirmatory RCT is worth the investment of future resources, including the calculated number of child-significant other dyads needed based on the efficacy trends derived from this feasibility study.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05534282; date of registration: June 23, 2022.

The Impact of Music Therapy in a Pediatric Oncology Setting: An Italian Observational Network Study.

Music Therapy (MT) is a non-pharmacological, art-based intervention that employs music experiences within a therapeutic alliance to attend to clients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social requirements. This is the first study aiming at investigating the impact of MT on the psychological facets of children suffering from cancer. The study, combining the AQR and m-YPAS assessment tools, evaluated behavioral, sound-musical, and interactive parameters in pediatric oncology patients undergoing MT sessions during hospitalization. Fifty patients admitted to the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Unit at Policlinico S. Orsola Hospital in Bologna, Italy, were enrolled, irrespective of their treatment regimen. Data collection occurred on the first day of the MT session between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., with observations conducted by independent observers. In addition to traditional statistical analysis, network analysis was used to explore the combined interactions of all parameters, effectively discerning the distinctive roles played by each one during therapy sessions and their influence on all others. Network analysis highlighted distinct patterns of interactions among parameters during the various sessions, emphasizing the role of positive emotions and a calm setting, the child's ability to take the initiative in sessions, their sense of agency, and the parent's role in guiding them. Significant differences were recorded at each time point between all variables considered. The results of this innovative study may pave the way for future multicenter studies aimed at further exploring the role of MT in children undergoing both curative and palliative treatments for cancer.

'It helps you forget your worries': A pilot study exploring music therapy in the acute hospital aged care setting.

Few studies have explored music therapy (MT) in an acute aged care inpatient setting. We aimed to assess feasibility and patient/staff perceptions of an 8-week MT program on an acute geriatric ward. An 8-week in-person MT program, comprising brief receptive musical interventions up to twice-weekly. All patients admitted to the aged care ward were eligible for inclusion. A hard copy survey was used to assess patient and staff perceptions of MT. Themes raised in free-text responses were manually coded within a thematic analysis approach. A mixed methods approach was used to obtain and analyse data relating to feasibility and patient and staff perceptions of the MT intervention. The 8-week program ran to completion and was delivered to a median of 11 patients (IQR 9-12) each session (median 8 new/day). In total, 10 patients completed surveys, mean age 81.1 (SD 7.7); 60% were women and all had cognitive impairment. Following an MT session, eight of eight responding patients reported feeling happy and eight of eight reported they would recommend MT. Staff respondents (n = 19) reported patients appeared happy (19/19), relaxed (13/19) and all would recommend MT to other patients. Common themes were that MT was followed by improved patient behaviour and mood, and stimulated patients. An acute aged care inpatient MT program proves feasible and well-received by staff and patients. Future research may focus on more robust data collection in larger sample sizes, specific types of MT and more in-depth exploration of the patient and carer experiences.

The impact of a single music therapy session on pain perception of patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic condition characterized by pain. The neuromatrix theory of pain suggests pain is a multimodal experience, recognizing the importance of interventions like music therapy (MT), which address the physical and emotional pain experience. This study examined the impact of a MT session on 21 hospitalized patients’ self-reported VOC and its overall benefits. Utilizing a convergent mixed methods design, pain scores were collected prior to, during, and after sessions, with a follow-up interview. Significant changes were observed. Patients reported an average 3.03-point difference between their pre-intervention and MT-intervention score (p&lt;0.001). When pre- and post-intervention scores were compared, patients reported an average 1.9-point pain reduction (p&lt;0.001). Five themes emerged: decreased pain, increased insight, openness in verbal engagement, improved mood, and expressive freedom. The ways in which patients engaged suggest the importance of simultaneously addressing the physical, cognitive and emotional pain experience. When patients became agents of their own pain management, it engaged them in a reflexive process that altered their pain perception, improved their mood, and changed their relationship with SCD. MT is beneficial in reducing pain, simultaneously addressing the multidimensional pain experience. Further research is needed to evaluate mechanisms of impact, including addressing medication dosage. Keywords: Music therapy, sickle cell disease, pain management, neuromatrix theory, hematology

Effect of Music Therapy on Chemotherapy Anticipatory Symptoms in Adolescents: A Mixed Methods Study

IntroductionThis study explores the feasibility and effects of music therapy on anticipatory nausea and vomiting, stress, pain and quality of life in adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. MethodsThis is a single group, quasi-experimental study using pre/post-test design. Participants received four individual sessions of music therapy (MT), led by a certified music therapist. State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory Y-1, and a 0-4 Likert scale for pain, nausea and vomiting were recorded. Heart rate variability (LF/HF) was collected during sessions. PedsQL was collected before and at the end of the trial. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. ResultsA significant reduction in anxiety, nausea and vomiting, both pre-post single sessions and between different sessions, was observed. A significant increase in LF/HF and PedsQL scores was observed. Relevant themes also emerged from interviews. ConclusionResults support the feasibility of introducing music therapy with adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. Perceived stress and psychological/physical wellbeing were improved in participants.

Mycroanalysis from a Music Therapy Session with a Bereaved Child / Microanaliza unei ședințe de meloterapie cu un copil în doliu

This study presents a microanalysis of a critical moment in a music therapy session with a bereaved child. Through this microanalysis, the therapist explored and examined the key musical and emotional elements that led to one of the most significant therapeutic moments. The microanalysis was done using digital tools, thus highlighting the benefits of incorporating such elements into therapeutic practice.

MUSIC THERAPY AND BACKGROUND MUSIC IN THE PHYSIOTHERAPY OF A PATIENT WITH NORMAL PRESSURE HYDROCEPHALUS

Cognitive deterioration and gait balance disturbances are the core symptoms of idiopathic normal pressure patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus – NHP (J. Larson et al, 2021). The manifestations caused by NPH directly foul the patient’s autonomy. Rehabilitation in NPH and supervised physical exercise are important factors to improve patient’s functions (J. Rydja et al, 2021). Music therapy and background music have cognitive, psychosocial, behavioural, and motor benefits for people with neurological disorders. Various forms and genres of music can be engaging, emotional, physical, personal, social, persuasive, and music also promotes synchronization of movement (O. Brancatisano et al., 2020). The process of music therapy intervention was structured and designed according to American Music Therapy Association (2005) in a 3-step process of preparation, implementation, and evaluation. Background music and instrumental and movement music activities were aimed at relaxation and cognitive stimulation in a patient with NPH during physiotherapy. In instrumental activities three music instruments were used, two Orff instruments a tambourine, a rattle, and a plastic string resembling an accordion (made from recycled material) – to improve the range of movements, strength, endurance, and coordination of the upper limb bilaterally and to improve walking motor skills. Furthermore, we selected background music according to the patient’s taste and choice. The music genres in our sessions were electronic music, pop, and relaxing jazz: The music styles were Synth-pop, Ambient, Disco, Eurodance, Dance-pop and Relaxing jazz. A total of 5 music therapy sessions were held within two months. Each session lasted for 60 min. We observed the following changes in the patient: The mechanism of regulation of fine motor movements was affected in his upper arm bilaterally, and communication skills were also improved. The gross motor skills in upper arm improved bilaterally. The walking speed was more pronounced, and his submaximal performance distance was extended. During background music the patient myofascially relaxed – the spasticity began to subside, and music induced psychological and physical well-being on his emotional level.