scholarly journals Playing Their song: Developing and delivering a repertoire for use in music therapy on placement with two singing groups of people living with neurological conditions, and their carers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jennifer Gordon

<p>This research study uses qualitative, action research methodology to investigate the factors impacting how I can choose and deliver repertoire within the context of my music therapy practice on placement with two singing groups of people living with neurological conditions and their partners and carers. Adhering to the characteristics of action research, this study consists of cycles of learning, and focuses on my understanding of the perceptions and perspectives of clients of the service, plus my own responses regarding the repertoire and how it is used during the music therapy, thus attempting to understand people’s preferred repertoire and improve my practice. My clinical practice notes, participatory observations and reflective journals were coded and analysed to develop themes. Following this, inductive meanings were made of what, how and why the particular repertoire was used. There were many insights learned, from the perspective of the researcher (as a student music therapist and beginning researcher), but the most salient seemed, to me, to be that the entire gestalt of the experience shared whilst singing and playing together with the groups was more important than the minutiae of individual factors that go into making up that experience.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jennifer Gordon

<p>This research study uses qualitative, action research methodology to investigate the factors impacting how I can choose and deliver repertoire within the context of my music therapy practice on placement with two singing groups of people living with neurological conditions and their partners and carers. Adhering to the characteristics of action research, this study consists of cycles of learning, and focuses on my understanding of the perceptions and perspectives of clients of the service, plus my own responses regarding the repertoire and how it is used during the music therapy, thus attempting to understand people’s preferred repertoire and improve my practice. My clinical practice notes, participatory observations and reflective journals were coded and analysed to develop themes. Following this, inductive meanings were made of what, how and why the particular repertoire was used. There were many insights learned, from the perspective of the researcher (as a student music therapist and beginning researcher), but the most salient seemed, to me, to be that the entire gestalt of the experience shared whilst singing and playing together with the groups was more important than the minutiae of individual factors that go into making up that experience.</p>


Author(s):  
Callum Brown

Understanding the dynamic behaviour of organisations is challenging and this study uses a model of complex adaptive systems as a generative metaphor to address this challenge. The research question addressed is: How might a conceptual model of complex adaptive systems be used to assist in understanding the dynamic nature of organisations? Using an action research methodology, 6 Ai r Force internal management consulting teams were exposed to overlapping attributes of complex adaptive systems. The study shows that participants found the attributes valuable in understanding the dynamic nature of organisations; however they did present challenges for understanding. Despite being challenging to understand, using complex adaptive systems to understand organisations, particularly as dynamic systems, is of value.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katie Boom

<p>This action research study investigates resourcing people to engage in musicking outside the therapy room. Both the practice and research took place within a residential hospital for people with neurological conditions, situated in Aotearoa New Zealand. Music-centred music therapy, community music therapy, resource-oriented music therapy and the ecological model of music influenced this research. Following three action cycles, the qualitative data collected throughout was thematically analysed. This analysis revealed a framework referred to as the ‘journey to musicking’, which identifies six resources people needed to engage in music: opportunity; motivation; confidence; skills; practical needs; and a problem-solving toolkit. The role of the music therapist in resourcing people in these areas is framed as the role of a tuakana, drawing on an indigenous Māori model predominantly used in education and mentoring programmes: ‘tuakana-teina’. ‘Tuakana-teina’ in this study is defined as a music therapist-participant relationship that is empowering, collaborative and inclusive of the possibility of reciprocity. The personal resources (kete) needed by the tuakana music therapist are also explored, while empowerment and sustainability are highlighted as foundational principles to resourcing people. These principles, especially empowerment, are linked to the Māori concept of restoring rangatiratanga. This research provides a rich qualitative account of practicing music therapy in an empowering, ecological way in Aotearoa New Zealand.</p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Rejane Mendes Barcellos

This paper results from my insertion into a research team which studies "The Music Therapy Influence on Exclusive Breastfeeding", led by the Music Therapist Martha Negreiros, at the Maternity School of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. As music therapy supervisor it was possible for me to take part in one session of the clinical practice with mothers of premature babies, and to think about familiarity and predictability of songs - which result in comfort - as characteristics which contribute to uphold the mothers who need to be stronger to support their babies. These ideas are discussed based on Adorno (1989), Middleton (1990) and Carvalho's (1999) thoughts. The final considerations pointed out that the popular song re-creation is an important musical experience for this kind of patient, and the lullabies re-creation constitutes the most adequate music therapy technique to be employed with these mothers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lucy Kelly

<p>In this research I explored my use of the violin in music therapy with people who have intellectual disability and neurological conditions. I am interested in this topic because the violin is my primary instrument and I wanted to learn more about its therapeutic potential. My research methodology was Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data, and the data were my clinical notes and research journal. Findings were generated through thematic analysis of the data. Five themes emerged. Specifically, I found that the violin’s voice-like timbre was helpful in fostering connections and encouraging emotional and communicative expression. Similarly, the ability to physically share the instrument, and to play it while mobile, also fostered connections between me and my participants. Because of my expertise on the violin I was able to utilize a vast variety of performance techniques both with familiar music and within improvisations that elicited meaningful musical moments. My relationship with the violin has developed and changed throughout this process and the violin has become a part of my identity as a music therapist. I anticipate that findings will interest other music therapists, and perhaps encourage them to use alternative instruments within their practice.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Knott ◽  
Marial Biard ◽  
Kirsten E Nelson ◽  
Stephanie Epstein ◽  
Sheri L Robb ◽  
...  

Abstract Music therapy is becoming a standard supportive care service in many pediatric hospitals across the United States. However, more detailed information is needed to advance our understanding about current clinical practice and increase availability of pediatric music therapy services. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to collect and summarize data about music therapists working in pediatric medical settings. Specifically, we collected information about (1) therapist demographics, (2) organizational structure, (3) service delivery and clinical practice, and (4) administrative/supervisory responsibilities. Board-certified music therapists working in pediatric medical settings (n = 118) completed a 37-item online questionnaire. We analyzed survey data using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings indicated that there is a ratio of approximately one music therapist for every 100 patient beds, that one-third of respondents are the only music therapist in their setting, and that half of the surveyed positions are philanthropically funded. Prioritizing patient referrals based on acuity was common (95.7%, n = 110), with palliative care and pain as the most highly prioritized needs. More than half of respondents reported serving in high acuity areas such as the pediatric intensive care, hematology/oncology, or neonatal intensive care units. We recommend replication of this survey in five years to examine growth and change in service delivery among pediatric music therapists over time, with additional studies to (a) explore how therapist-to-patient ratios influence quality of care, (b) identify factors that contribute to sustainability of programs, and (c) determine how expansion of services support a broader population of patients and families.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Bolwell

<p>This exegesis presents findings which emerged from secondary review of clinical practice data collected during a music therapy placement. The setting for this research is a long-term residential care facility for people with a variety of physical and neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis, aged 18 to 65. The aim of the facility is to maximise the quality of life for people with physical disabilities and those with terminal illnesses. The research aim was to develop theory about how music therapy can provide support to people with long term neurological conditions. Thematic analysis was employed to develop core themes about the support that music therapy has provided. These findings are presented under the following six themes: building relationships, collaborative practices, fostering community, acknowledging diversity, emotional support and musical engagement. These themes all focus on relatedness, and the quality of life of individuals, groups and the community. They also indicate the value of a flexible community-centred approach for delivering music therapy. A vignette from clinical practice is included to illustrate important points made in the exegesis. The study complements other music therapy research situated within a health-care perspective and could offer particular significance for new music therapy practitioners looking to understand and work with people with neuro-disabilities in long term care facilities.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Bolwell

<p>This exegesis presents findings which emerged from secondary review of clinical practice data collected during a music therapy placement. The setting for this research is a long-term residential care facility for people with a variety of physical and neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis, aged 18 to 65. The aim of the facility is to maximise the quality of life for people with physical disabilities and those with terminal illnesses. The research aim was to develop theory about how music therapy can provide support to people with long term neurological conditions. Thematic analysis was employed to develop core themes about the support that music therapy has provided. These findings are presented under the following six themes: building relationships, collaborative practices, fostering community, acknowledging diversity, emotional support and musical engagement. These themes all focus on relatedness, and the quality of life of individuals, groups and the community. They also indicate the value of a flexible community-centred approach for delivering music therapy. A vignette from clinical practice is included to illustrate important points made in the exegesis. The study complements other music therapy research situated within a health-care perspective and could offer particular significance for new music therapy practitioners looking to understand and work with people with neuro-disabilities in long term care facilities.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lucy Kelly

<p>In this research I explored my use of the violin in music therapy with people who have intellectual disability and neurological conditions. I am interested in this topic because the violin is my primary instrument and I wanted to learn more about its therapeutic potential. My research methodology was Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data, and the data were my clinical notes and research journal. Findings were generated through thematic analysis of the data. Five themes emerged. Specifically, I found that the violin’s voice-like timbre was helpful in fostering connections and encouraging emotional and communicative expression. Similarly, the ability to physically share the instrument, and to play it while mobile, also fostered connections between me and my participants. Because of my expertise on the violin I was able to utilize a vast variety of performance techniques both with familiar music and within improvisations that elicited meaningful musical moments. My relationship with the violin has developed and changed throughout this process and the violin has become a part of my identity as a music therapist. I anticipate that findings will interest other music therapists, and perhaps encourage them to use alternative instruments within their practice.</p>


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne Rickson

Action Research is a useful approach for practitioners who want to develop or improve on their everyday activity, while simultaneously contributing to a scientific body of knowledge. Action Researchers need to be able to reflect critically on their actions and interpretations, and be aware of their biases. This becomes increasingly complex and important when the researcher is engaged in multiple roles during the research process. This paper describes some of the dilemmas encountered by a music therapist using Action Research to develop a music therapy consultation protocol while simultaneously gathering data for a thesis towards a PhD in Music. The use of a research journal as an aid to self-understanding is discussed.


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