Music Interventions for Advanced Dementia

2019 ◽  
pp. 242-268
Author(s):  
Melissa Mercadal-Brotons

This chapter presents a review of the scientific literature published in English and Spanish concerning the use of music and music therapy with people in the advanced stages of all types of dementia. The aim of this review was to identify the needs of this client group, areas addressed in music therapy and music interventions, specific techniques which appear to be the most appropriate and effective, and other methodological issues that have arisen when working with this population. Based on the results of this literature review, a list of criteria and recommendations is provided to guide music therapists in the selection of appropriate music-therapy interventions and to assist caregivers to make informed choices on how to use appropriate music-based interventions with clients in the late stages of dementia.

Author(s):  
Susan C Gardstrom ◽  
James Hiller ◽  
Annie Heiderscheit ◽  
Nancy L Jackson

Abstract As music therapists, music is our primary realm of understanding and action and our distinctive way of joining with a client to help them attain optimal health and well-being. As such, we have adopted and advocate for a music-focused, methods-based (M-B) approach to music therapy pre-internship education and training. In an M-B approach, students’ learning is centered on the 4 music therapy methods of composing, improvising, re-creating, and listening to music and how these music experiences can be designed and implemented to address the health needs of the diverse clientele whom they will eventually encounter as practicing clinicians. Learning is highly experiential, with students authentically participating in each of the methods and reflecting on these self-experiences as a basis for their own clinical decision-making. This is differentiated from a population based (P-B) approach, wherein students’ attention is directed at acquiring knowledge about the non-musical problems of specific “clinical populations” and the “best practice” music interventions that are presumed to address these problems. Herein, we discuss both approaches, identifying the limitations of a P-B perspective and outlining the benefits of an M-B curriculum and its relevance to 21st-century music therapy practice.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2/2) ◽  
pp. 275-288
Author(s):  
Jiří Kantor ◽  
Lenka Dzidová

This paper deals with the analysis of music therapy interventions focused on the development of speech production in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The paper summarizes the results of theoretical analysis of the development of communication for persons with CP from the perspective of special education, speech therapy and music therapy intervention. The research methodology was based on qualitative design with a combination of content analysis and interpretive approach to case studies. The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the level of speech production of people with CP and goals of music therapy intervention, its methods and procedures and musical materials used in music therapy practice. The research sample consisted of 10 individuals with CP and different levels of speech production. Data collection was based on an in-depth case analysis of available data from documents, video and audio recordings, music therapy products and interviews with music therapists. The research results have identified four stages of music therapy intervention (pre-verbal, semantic, phonological and stadium of complex linguistic phenomena). In each stage typical goals, methods and tools were described.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina de Witte ◽  
Esther Lindelauf ◽  
Xavier Moonen ◽  
Geert-Jan Stams ◽  
Susan van Hooren

Stress is increasingly being recognized as one of the main factors that is negatively affecting our health, and therefore there is a need to regulate daily stress and prevent long-term stress. This need seems particularly important for adults with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) who have been shown to have more difficulties coping with stress than adults without intellectual disabilities. Hence, the development of music therapy interventions for stress reduction, particularly within populations where needs may be greater, is becoming increasingly important. In order to gain more insight into the practice-based knowledge on how music therapists lower stress levels of their patients with MID during music therapy sessions, we conducted focus group interviews with music therapists working with adults with MID (N = 13) from different countries and clinical institutions in Europe. Results provide an overview of the most-used interventions for stress reduction within and outside of music. Data-analysis resulted in the further specification of therapeutic goals, intervention techniques, the use of musical instruments, and related therapeutic change factors. The main findings indicate that music therapists used little to no receptive (e.g., music listening) interventions for stress reduction, but preferred to use active interventions, which were mainly based on musical improvisation. Results show that three therapy goals for stress relief could be distinguished. The goal of “synchronizing” can be seen as a sub goal because it often precedes working on the other two goals of “tension release” or “direct relaxation,” which can also be seen as two ways of reaching stress reduction in adults with MID through music therapy interventions. Furthermore, the tempo and the dynamics of the music are considered as the most important musical components to reduce stress in adults with MID. Practical implications for stress-reducing music therapy interventions for adults with MID are discussed as well as recommendations for future research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-94
Author(s):  
Beth Pickard

This article takes the theoretical and philosophical lens of critical disability studies to critically reflect on the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Arts Therapists. The discipline of critical disability studies, evolving from disability studies and the disability rights movement, is initially defined before multiple paradigms of disability are introduced as central tenets of these disciplines. The relationship between critical disability studies and music therapy is explored, with reference to seminal publications and the perceptions of music therapy within them. The Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency are then taken as a source of reflection to attempt to understand the perpetuation of medicalised perspectives in the profession and the potential friction between critical disability studies and music therapy. A selection of the Standards of Proficiency are analysed according to distinct paradigms of disability. Questions are posed to interrogate and contextualise the standards in relation to critical disability studies philosophy. From this critical reflection, a discussion emerges which reflects on the reach of these professional standards and how they might contribute to a continuing, outdated expert-model of music therapy in the United Kingdom. The article concludes by drawing these threads together in a series of recommendations to educators, practitioners and the wider profession.


Author(s):  
Alfredo Raglio ◽  
Enrico Oddone ◽  
Lara Morotti ◽  
Yasmin Khreiwesh ◽  
Chiara Zuddas ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundMusic is widely used in clinical and rehabilitative fields and recently also in the field of Occupational Medicine. This review aims at selecting the evidence-based studies regarding music interventions in workplaces.MethodsIn order to carry out a narrative literature review, two independent pairs of investigators searched in PubMed and PsycInfo databases to select Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) or Clinical Controlled Trials (CCTs) in English regarding music and music therapy interventions in workplaces; the trials were published in peer-reviewed journals from January 2000 to February 2017.ResultsFourteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Among these, ten were RCTs and four CCTs. The vast majority of RCTs were conducted on students or medical personnel (n=8), while only a few RCTs (n=2) were carried out on air traffic controllers or sick leave workers. Firefighters, computer systems developers, nursing students and office workers were studied through a CCT study design (n=4).ConclusionsPsychological factors, communication, rehabilitative outcomes and cognitive and work performances seem to be the principal areas of interest in the field of music and occupational medicine, with possible economic benefits. Future studies should adopt rigorous methodological criteria to carry out larger samples on a wide range of professional categories and music/music therapy interventions.


Author(s):  
Helen Short

This study identifies and describes considerations for managing verbal boundaries and the potential contraindication when using Rap in music therapy.    The literature review covers the small number of case studies documenting the use of Rap in music therapy. The method used was an in-depth qualitative interview of 8 music therapy experts from a range of countries and approaches, experienced in the use of Rap as an intervention. A combination of grounded theory and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The results are placed in context of the literature review and draw upon a number of psychodynamic concepts in order to determine a set of themes that could further inform those music therapists using Rap as a clinical intervention.  The results display the flexibility with which Rap can be used to meet different levels of client need and how therapists' boundary management allows this. The data contributes towards clarifying what informs music therapists when considering how to manage the potentially offensive material that may be introduced into the therapy space when using Rap and when it may contraindicate. The research could serve as a preparatory tool for those therapists new to the genre and its use within therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Fogus Gooding

Music therapy scholars have suggested that verbal processing is widely integrated into music therapy practice, though specific implementation varies based on the therapeutic approach and the clients’ level of functioning. Results from music therapy studies have suggested that clients find verbal processing both important and useful, yet the development of verbal processing skills can be difficult for music therapists and music therapy students. Given the complexity of the skills needed, inclusion of a model or framework may help focus and organize skill development. One model that may have wide utility among music therapy practice is the microskills model (microcounseling). Microcounseling is built upon ethical and cultural competence, addresses skills in a hierarchical manner, and can be combined with a number of theoretical approaches. Research shows that this model has been successfully translated into 21 languages, used in a range of helping professions, and taught in both traditional and self-instruction formats. Perhaps most importantly, the model initially focuses on skills needed by all music therapists, regardless of theoretical orientation, and then progresses to skills needed to effectively facilitate common music therapy interventions like song discussion. Combining this model with other elements of music therapy education may better promote skill development and guide music therapists in skill usage.


Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Colwell

Research has indicated that music therapy is effective in hospital contexts for managing pain, reducing anxiety, ameliorating social isolation, slowing the impact of cognitive or developmental regression or delays, expressing emotions, and altering physiological responses as medically needed. Music can impact physiological responses including heart rate, blood pressure, pulse oxygenation, pain indicators, respiration, muscle tension, cardiac output, and immunologic function. Participation in music therapy interventions can improve treatment adherence, reduce deleterious symptoms of diseases and effects of medical procedures, and generally enhance quality of life in an unfamiliar and potentially unappealing environment. This chapter will describe a sample of how music therapists have conducted research in medical contexts and will present ways in which such research can be planned and undertaken.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205920432110204
Author(s):  
Helen Odell-Miller

Unique music therapy interventions are discussed from a clinical educational and research perspective, demonstrating a current position on music therapy for people living with dementia and their carers. The position paper, adapted from the keynote lecture given at the workshop “Music Selves and Societies” at Cambridge University in 2018, outlines current research and practice across music and music therapy fields, focussing upon embedding music in daily life and care for people living with dementia. Worldwide, around 50m people have dementia; this is estimated to increase to 75.6m in 2030 and 135.5m in 2050. This results in increased demand for long-term care and a need for heightened awareness and capacity for home care in local settings. Distinctions between interventions delivered by music therapists (direct music therapy) and interventions delivered by musicians or carers arising from training from music therapists (indirect music therapy) are discussed. Political and strategic developments for music and dementia are summarized, highlighting the need for increased training in the field and access to music at all stages of dementia. Case study examples are presented to highlight emerging practices and research; for example, couples attending music therapy groups in a rural community setting (Together in Sound) improved relationships and attitudes for people living with dementia. An international trial investigating reading and music interventions for people living with dementia and their homebased family carers (Homeside) is introduced, alongside practice and research in care homes where music therapy had been found to reduce agitation and improve carers’ well-being. Research shows music therapy interventions address personalized needs linked to daily lived experiences. However, indirect music therapy is needed to reach all who can benefit from music and are living with dementia. It is concluded that high quality, accessible music interventions should be embedded in care, and further research is needed to ascertain best practice.


Author(s):  
Sheri L. Robb ◽  
Debra S. Burns

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are experiments that compare two or more groups of participants, and participants are assigned to groups based on chance. Groups include an experimental intervention group that is being compared to a treatment as usual, a low dose or attention control condition, and/or a comparative treatment group. The purpose of randomization is to equalize groups on both known and unknown characteristics that may influence the outcome and the effectiveness of the intervention. This chapter describes how music therapists have used RCTs to demonstrate the effectiveness of music therapy interventions and services. Key strategies for implementing RCT designs are presented, and studies in music therapy that have used this design are reviewed.


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