Music technology usage in music therapy: A survey of practice

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) how many music therapists use music technology in their clinical work, (b) trends regarding music technology usage related to gender, age, and/or geographical location, (c) how music therapists acquire knowledge and/or training in music technology, (d) barriers to using music technology in clinical work, (e) types of music technology music therapists currently use, and (f) why music therapists do or do not use music technology in their clinical practice. Participants (N = 600) completed a 27-question survey with a 95% completion rate. The return rates for participants by country were: (a) US 27%, (b) Australia 6%, (c) Canada 9%, and (d) UK 9%. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data were conducted. A majority of the music therapists surveyed (71%, n = 443) reported using music technology in the clinical setting. Differences in technology usage were found according to age and gender of the participants. Most of the participants reported to be self-taught (61%, n = 464). Results of this study indicated that more training in music technology related to clinical practice is needed, with attention given to ways to make more technology accessible to a variety of learners.     

Staff perceptions of complementary and alternative therapy integration into a child and adolescent psychiatry program

Art, music, yoga, and dance/movement therapies have been researched individually, mostly in adults, but few studies explain the impact of integrating these therapies into the treatment of children with psychiatric illnesses. Given the financial constraints of current healthcare, as well as limitations of verbal and medical therapies, it is important to document the added value of integrating complementary therapies, including creative arts therapies, into childhood mental health and treatment. The present study looked to evaluate views of clinical professionals (n = 23) (i.e. psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers), nurses (n = 17) and milieu staff (mental health counselors; n = 56) within the Psychiatry Department of a large children's hospital on the perceived benefits of integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies within inpatient and day treatment programs. The majority of respondents (96% of clinicians, 100% of nurses, and 82% of milieu staff) reported that CAM positively impacted patient care. Staff indicated that sessions facilitated by masters level creative arts therapists or yoga therapists helped patients by increasing self esteem, increasing motor coordination and body control, providing relaxation, teaching coping skills, decreasing acting out behaviors, developing patient's awareness of emotions or underlying issues, and helping to broach difficult topics or issues for the first time. Milieu staff who participated in CAM groups alongside patients also received personal and professional benefits.     

Music therapists’ attitudes and actions regarding the LGBTQ community: A preliminary report

This is a preliminary report on survey research currently being conducted by a team of music therapists across the United States. The study's purpose was to explore the attitudes and actions of music therapists across the globe in regards to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning (LGBTQ) clients, coworkers, and students. The survey questions were designed to explore areas of knowledge as well as deficits in order to direct future educational offerings for music therapists and music therapy students. These results are preliminary, reflecting the first 2 months the survey was open representing a total of 409 respondents. Results indicate a need for further education and training of music therapists regarding LGBTQ issues.     

Music therapy in children's hospices: An evaluative survey of provision

This paper presents the results of a survey of the range of music therapy practice in children's hospices in the UK. Music therapists are challenged to work with children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions during short periods of respite care over several years or at end of life. Flexibility is fundamental to working both individually and in small groups in response to the shifting needs of the children and their families. In the context of a children's hospice music therapists are called upon to work creatively with siblings and family members and members of the multidisciplinary team in addition to the children themselves. A questionnaire and focus group for music therapists working in the children's hospices provided evidence of the range of work, priorities and future plans for development. Telephone interviews with specialist staff at children's hospices where music therapists were not currently working provided evidence of how music and musical activities were perceived and utilised, with any plans for future provision for a music therapy service and some of the practical and resource issues being itemised.     

Effects of music therapy on spirituality with patients on a medical oncology/hematology unit: A mixed-methods approach

Despite considerable interest in the potential relationship between oncology and spirituality, it remains unclear how the spiritual wellbeing of patients is best addressed in health care environments. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three music therapy doses on spirituality in patients on a medical oncology/hematology unit (N = 17). The researchers measured participants’ faith, peace, and meaning by using the FACIT-Sp. tool ( Brady, Peterman, Fitchett, Mo, & Cella, 1999) at pre- and posttest during a randomized controlled design. The researchers also incorporated interviews from patients concerning potential effects of music therapy and spirituality. Quantitative results indicated significant between-group differences in peace and faith subscales, with participants in the music therapy condition having higher posttest means than participants in the control condition. Qualitative data tended to support the importance of music therapy in meeting spiritual needs: Results of a thematic analysis indicated music therapy helped participants feel closer to God and elevated their moods. Consistent with the literature base, participants noted that that spiritual needs should indeed be addressed during a person's time at the hospital. Limitations of the study, areas for future investigation, and implications for clinical practice are provided.     

Effects of music therapy with patients on a post-surgical oncology unit: A pilot study determining maintenance of immediate gains

Researchers have found that music therapy can be an effective psychosocial intervention for oncology patients. However, due to shortened inpatient hospital stays and the frequency of surgery for patients with cancer, there is a need to determine maintenance of single-session treatment gains with patients on a post-surgical oncology unit. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate maintenance of immediate music therapy treatment gains concerning relaxation, pain, anxiety, nausea, and perception of music therapy with patients on a surgical oncology unit. Participants were adult oncology inpatients (n = 27) and their caregivers (n = 4) receiving care on a surgical oncology unit. Participants completed five separate 10-point Likert-Type Scales at pretest, posttest, and 30–45-min follow-up. Participants received 20-min music therapy sessions consisting of patient-preferred live music. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) were computed on all patient data and indicated significant differences in relaxation, anxiety, and pain between pretest and posttest and pretest and follow-up measures. However, there were no significant differences from posttest to follow-up, indicating maintenance of treatment gains. Although generalizations are premature due to the lack of a comparison condition, it seems that beneficial effects of a single music therapy session for surgical oncology patients may be maintained in the short-term. Limitations, implications for clinical practice, and suggestions for future research are offered.     

Effects of single session music therapy on hospitalized patients recovering from a bone marrow transplant: Two studies

The purpose of these studies was to determine the effects of single session music therapy on inpatients in an adult bone marrow transplant unit. In Study 1, the researchers examined the effects of patient-preferred live music on anxiety, nausea, fatigue, pain, and relaxation for hospitalized patients (N = 50) recovering from a bone marrow transplant utilizing a pretest, posttest, and follow-up design with Likert-Type Scales. In Study 2, the researchers utilized a randomized controlled trial with pre and posttests to determine how music therapy might effect fatigue (N = 18). In Study 1, results were significant for relaxation, anxiety, and fatigue from pre to posttest. Although ratings tended to worsen slightly from posttest to follow-up, follow-up measurements maintained an improvement when compared with pretest scores. Results of Study 2 indicated no significant differences between- or within-group differences concerning fatigue. However, analyses of mean fatigue data indicated a slight decrease from pre to posttest for experimental participants and a slight increase from pre to posttest for control participants. Results of both studies indicate that a single music therapy session can have a positive effect on inpatients recovering from bone marrow transplants. Implications for clinical practice, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research are provided.     

Using music in mental handicap

The work of the occupational therapists and the music therapist at the Child Development Centre, Addenbrookes' Hospital, Cambridge, is briefly described, as well as the Child Development Centre itself. A music group for parents and their young children, run jointly by the music therapist and one of the occupational therapists, is looked at in detail. The structure of the group and the various ways in which the children and the parents are helped through the music are explained.     

Immediate quantitative effects of recreational music therapy on mood and perceived helpfulness in acute psychiatric inpatients: An exploratory investigation

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the immediate quantitative effects of single recreational music therapy interventions on mood utilizing a pre- posttest research design. Participants (N = 41) were acute psychiatric inpatients. Using the Quick Mood Scale ( Woodruffe-Peacock, Turnbull, Johnson, Elahi, & Preston, 1998), the researchers compared pre- and posttest measures in participants’ moods with 10 different recreational music therapy interventions. Results indicated positive and significant immediate changes in four mood factors after a single recreational music therapy session: (a) wide awake/drowsy, (b) relaxed/anxious, (c) cheerful/depressed, and (d) friendly/aggressive. There were no significant between-intervention differences concerning mood or posttest measures of perceived helpfulness and enjoyment. From the results of this study, it seems that recreational music therapy interventions can have an immediate positive impact on acute psychiatric inpatients’ moods but the specific type of recreational music therapy intervention utilized does not affect outcome. Limitations, suggestions for future research, and implications for clinical practice are provided.     

Women's issues and music therapists: A look forward

This study surveyed 1890 American and Canadian music therapists in order to examine present-day men and women music therapists’ experiences as they compare with each other and as they compare with their 1990 counterparts in terms of their situations, their practices, their approaches, and their personal, work, and family concerns (Curtis, 1990). Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the structured and open-ended survey items revealed commonalities and differences among the 682 respondents. In comparison to their 1990 counterparts, present-day women music therapists are significantly different: they are older, more educated, more often in academic settings, more satisfied with their career choice, and with many different concerns. Present-day men and women respondents’ experiences reflect more commonalities, differing only in that the men are older, more educated, more often in academic settings, and higher paid. The present-day women and men are similar to each other and differ significantly from their 1990 counterparts with 68%, 66%, and 91% respectively feeling that sex discrimination has a general impact. Similarly 31% of the present-day men and 25% of the women are familiar with feminist music therapy, as opposed to 16% in 1990. Present-day men and women music therapists share a passion for their work, with 98% and 95% respectively recommending music therapy careers, as opposed to 56% in 1990.     

The effects of music listening and art production on negative mood: A randomized, controlled trial

A large literature now exists to examine the effects of music listening on negative mood. However, few studies both isolate music as the active ingredient in mood improvement and compare music to a placebo condition designed to reduce demand effects. In the present study, 60 adult participants recruited from the local community were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: music listening + art production (drawing), music listening + art sorting, no music + art production, or no music + art sorting. By giving participants in all four groups an “arts” task, we intended to equate expectations of improvement and thereby better rule out demand effects as a source of group differences. Self-report measures of negative mood were collected before and after the 10 min intervention period. Participants in the two music listening conditions showed greater mood enhancement compared to the two non-music conditions. However, there were no significant effects of the art conditions (production vs. sorting). These results document that music listening has specific efficacy in enhancing mood even when expectations of improvement are equated across groups.     

Computer aided music therapy evaluation: Testing the Music Therapy Logbook prototype 1 system

Research indicates that music therapists are likely to make use of computer software, designed to measure changes in the way a patient and therapist make use of music in music therapy sessions. A proof of concept study investigated whether music analysis algorithms (designed to retrieve information from commercial music recordings) can be adapted to meet the needs of music therapists. Computational music analysis techniques were applied to multi-track audio recordings of simulated sessions, then to recordings of individual music therapy sessions; these were recorded by a music therapist as part of her ongoing practice with patients with acquired brain injury.The music therapist wanted to evaluate two hypotheses: one, whether changes in her tempo were affecting the tempo of a patient's play on acoustic percussion instruments, and two, whether her musical interventions were helping the patient reduce habituated, rhythmic patterning. Automatic diagrams were generated that gave a quick overview of the instrumental activity contained within each session: when, and for how long each instrument was played. From these, computational analysis was applied to musical areas of specific interest. The results of the interdisciplinary team work, audio recording tests, computer analysis tests, and music therapy field tests are presented and discussed.     

Understanding music as a temporal-aesthetic way of being: Implications for a general theory of music therapy

Music therapy is generally considered a discipline that utilizes music for promoting health, in which music is understood as a phenomenon inextricably tied to the medium of sound. Yet, alternatively, music therapy may also be considered a discipline that promotes human health both as and through music, in which music is understood as a temporal-aesthetic way of being transcending the concrete medium of sound, that manifests across all of the domains targeted in clinical music therapy goals. This explorative perspective potentially resolves certain critical dichotomies and dilemmas with which the music therapy field has had to contend, while meaningfully distinguishing music therapy's indigenous expertise and unique value from those of related health disciplines. Moreover, it carries implications for the formulation of a general theory of music therapy, applicable across a plurality of specific music therapy models, methods, and practices. Likewise, it carries implications for general theories of other expressive arts therapies, based upon understanding their respective modalities as particular ways of being, transcending concrete media.     

Re-discovering voice: Korean immigrant women in group music therapy

This article discusses group music therapy work with six older Korean immigrant women residing in New York. The women received weekly group music therapy sessions for a 6-month period. With each client belonging to four major subculture groups (Korean, immigrant, older adults, and women), attention was paid to the impact of subculture on group dynamics and the therapeutic process. Particular focus was placed on the influence of clients’ cultural adjustments, their gender role, the types of gender issues which emerged in sessions, and the clients’ use of music as a medium to increase their awareness of and to work through social–political oppression experienced during their cultural adjustment phase. The effective management of acculturative stress using music was also discussed. Music therapists are advised to take into account specific cultural considerations and the gender roles of their clients to better serve them. Clinical recommendations are further discussed in the article.     

Music and healing in cancer care: A survey of supportive care providers

This paper explores the role of music activity and music therapy in health care drawing on a survey of UK cancer care providers offering music interventions and music therapy. The survey examined the extent and type of music provision and explored providers’ views about the role and contribution of music and music therapy in healing. As well as music, the survey organisations offered a range of supportive therapies including complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) and creative therapies such as art therapy. The results provide insight into the way in which music and creative therapies are viewed by those responsible for care provision in this sector. The data point towards some of the challenges facing music therapists in the changing world of cancer care. These include responding to changes arising from developments in treatment and the organisation of care as well as increased collaboration with a diverse range of supportive care practitioners. These include providers of music and arts for health activity as well as complementary and alternative therapy practitioners who are increasingly involved in cancer care provision. We discuss the implications of these changes for the development of music therapy in cancer care.     

The impact of breathing and music on stress levels of clients and visitors in a psychiatric emergency room

Waiting in the Diagnostic Emergency Center (DEC), a busy psychiatric emergency room, can be a stressful and anxiety-producing experience in and of itself. The authors examined the effectiveness of interventions such as therapeutic breathing exercises and music listening on reducing perceived stress levels of clients and visitors in such a setting. These interventions were separately conducted for 30 min once per week over a period of four months. Effectiveness of the breathing and music interventions was measured through a voluntary survey. This survey measured pre- and post-intervention stress levels through self-report on a 10-point Likert scale. The interventions were shown to reduce median stress levels by two to three points on a 10-point scale, reaching statistical significance at the 97% confidence level with a medium to large effect size. The project demonstrated that it was possible to develop music and breathing interventions so they can be utilized in the DEC as well as other branches of our hospital system, providing increased support and comfort to our clients and visitors during their times of crisis.     

Effects of music therapy on perception of stress,relaxation, mood,and side effects in patients on a solid organ transplant unit: A randomized effectiveness study

Solid organ transplant donors and recipients typically present with a variety of potential stressors at both pre- and posttransplant, which may lead to symptoms such as psychological distress and depression. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of single-session music therapy on stress, relaxation, mood, and perception of side effects in hospitalized solid organ transplant donors and recipients. Participants (N = 38) were randomly assigned to experimental or wait-list control conditions in a pre–posttest single-session design. As sense of control has been associated with positive health outcomes in solid organ transplant patients, participants were offered the choice of receiving either patient-preferred live music or a brief harmonica lesson followed by a blues performance session with guitar accompaniment. Though there were no between-group pretest differences, there were significant between-group posttest differences in relaxation, stress, and mood, with experimental participants having more favorable scores than control participants. Thirty seven participants selected patient-preferred live music while one patient selected the brief harmonica lesson. From the results of this randomized controlled study, it seems that music therapy can be an effective psychosocial intervention concerning relaxation, stress, and mood for solid organ transplant patients. Additionally, most participants selected receptive music therapy in the form of patient-preferred live music rather active music therapy in the form of a brief harmonica lesson. Results are congruent with existing literature. Limitations of the study, suggestions for future research, and implications for clinical practice are provided.     

Depending on music to feel better: Being conscious of responsibility when appropriating the power of music

This study explores the beliefs held by young people about the power of music to help them feel better during challenging times. Participants included 40 young Australians, aged 13–20, who described their relationship with music and were progressively asked to recall times where music had not been helpful as well as when the consequences of engaging in music had been beneficial. Grounded theory analysis generated a theoretical explanation of why young people's beliefs about the positive consequences of music are so strong, even though the experience of young people with mental health problems sometimes contradicts these views. Implications for professionals are offered; with a particular emphasis on the importance of young people accepting responsibility for the ways they appropriate music in contrast to seeing the music as the source of power.