Telehealth Music Therapy Services in the United States With Older Adults: A Descriptive Study

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.

Performance in the accuracy task in children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech after an integrated intervention of literacy and motor skills

ABSTRACT Difficult in literacy skills are often seen in children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). This occurs because oral language has direct relationship with reading and writing learning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance in the accuracy task of an integrated phonoarticulatory awareness, motor skills and literacy intervention of three children with CAS. Three boys between 5;3 and 5;8 years of age, with CAS, were offered 2 hours per week of therapy sessions based on literacy and motor skills. The children were assessed before and after therapy and at a maintenance assessment 1 month after the treatment ceased. The children improved on the accuracy task considering their deficits level. Improvement was maintained at the maintenance assessment. Therapy based on literacy considering phonoarticulatory awareness and motor skills can help children with CAS, but the severity of the children’s communication problems must be taken into consideration.

Physical therapy modalities in the rehabilitation of cats (Felis catus) with neurological and orthopedic conditions

ABSTRACT: This retrospective study described the therapeutic modalities used for the rehabilitation of cats with neurological and orthopedic diseases and provided data regarding the number of sessions, frequency, and treatment duration; the study also evaluated the modality acceptance by this species. Twenty cats were selected, 11 with neurological diseases and nine with orthopedic conditions. Acute spinal cord trauma and femoral fracture were the most frequently observed neurological (72.7%) and orthopedic (44.4%) conditions, respectively. Manual therapies comprised of passive stretching (PS), passive range of motion (PROM), and bicycle movement (BM) exercises were included in all the protocols.Therapeutic modality acceptance was positive for physical agents, thermotherapy, and hydrotherapy (100%);in manual therapies, it was positive in 40% and partially positive in 60% of cats; in kinesiotherapy, it was positive for all the assisted active exercises and negative for the active exercises. The number of physical therapy sessions significantly influenced the positive acceptance of PS (P < 0.05). The PS, PROM, and BM exercises were the most commonly used modalities; the number of physiotherapy sessions and duration of treatment were higher in cats with neurological diseases, and acceptance was positive in most therapeutic modalities.

Attachment-informed interventions with the perinatal population

With growing attention being paid to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in both medical and mental health settings, there is a need for further elaboration on meaningful and impactful treatments with this population. This article outlines some of the unique stressors and psychological states that come with pregnancy and parenting a newborn and infant. The concepts and experiences discussed include: primary maternal preoccupation (Winnicott, 1956), parental ambivalence, major changes to the physical body, and reorganisation of attachment representations and current family dynamics. Clinical material from therapy sessions with patients at a specialised perinatal centre is included in the discussion of using an approach informed by attachment theory (Bowlby, 1988).

Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care plus Touch Therapy versus Kangaroo Mother Care Alone on the Low-Birth-Weight Infant’s Growth and Physiologic Responses: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has facilitated infant growth and decreased morbidities and hospital stay. Adding touch therapy (TT) may potentiate the KMC benefits. Objective. To compare the effectiveness of KMC+TT versus KMC alone in improving anthropometric and physiologic parameters and decreasing morbidities and hospital stay in low birth weight (LBW) infants. Methods. Stable LBW infants (<2000 g) admitted in the KMC ward were randomized to either intervention (KMC+TT) or control (KMC only) group. The KMC+TT group underwent thrice daily touch therapy sessions until discharge. Results. A total of 50 infants were included in the study. Baseline characteristics between the two groups were comparable. There was a significant increase in weight gain (grams/kg/day) in the KMC+TT group compared to KMC only. Physiologic parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature were significantly better in the KMC+TT group. More infants in the KMC only group were transferred to NICU care, while more KMC+TT infants went home against advice. Hospital stay was similar between the two groups. Conclusion. Touch therapy added to KMC is more effective than KMC alone in improving weight gain and physiologic parameters. It is associated with lower morbidities, although it did not affect the hospital stay.

Outcomes of Telepractice Speech Therapy for an Adult Who Covertly Stutters: A Case Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report on telepractice-based holistic speech-language therapy services to reduce avoidance of stuttering and increase positive self-image as a communicator for an adult who covertly stutters as compared with baseline. Method: A single case study design was employed with baseline, intervention, and maintenance phases completed via telepractice. The participant received biweekly speech-language pathology services, including both individual and group sessions. The Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering–Adult and Stuttering Severity Instrument–Fourth Edition assessed the participant's overt and covert stuttering behaviors at pretreatment and posttreatment time frames. Weekly data points of participant's self-report of avoidance of stuttering during therapy sessions and during the week between therapy sessions as well as researcher-calculated frequency of stuttering were measured. Visual inspection was utilized to analyze treatment outcomes. Results: The participant demonstrated a reduction in avoidance of stuttering within sessions as well as the week prior to a session, as compared with baseline. Additionally, the participant presented with an increased percent of words stuttered following into maintenance as compared with baseline. Visual inspection of weekly data points of frequency of stuttering and self-report of avoidance appeared to present promising results throughout the intervention phase with potential treatment effects continuing into the maintenance phase. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate preliminary evidence for potential positive outcomes of holistic speech therapy via telepractice for people who covertly stutter.

Examining the Impact of Digital Components Across Different Phases of Treatment in a Blended Care Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Depression and Anxiety: Pragmatic Retrospective Study

Background Depression and anxiety incur significant personal and societal costs. Effective psychotherapies exist, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); however, timely access to quality care is limited by myriad barriers. Blended care therapy models incorporate traditional face-to-face therapy with scalable, digital components of care, expanding the reach of evidence-based care. Objective The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a blended care CBT program (BC-CBT) in real-world settings and examine the unique impacts of the (1) digital components of care (video lessons and digital exercises) and (2) phase of treatment (early versus late) in decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods This retrospective cohort analysis included 3401 US-based individuals enrolled in a BC-CBT program, who presented with clinical levels of depression and/or anxiety. The treatment program consisted of regular therapy sessions augmented by clinician-assigned digital video lessons and exercises. A growth curve model incorporating time-varying covariates examined the relationship between engagement with BCT components (ie, therapy sessions, digital video lessons, and digital exercises) during the early (weeks 0-7) and late (weeks 8-15) phases of treatment, and weekly symptom reports on depression and anxiety measures. Results On average, a significant decline in depression and anxiety symptoms was observed during the initial weeks of treatment (P<.001), with a continued, though slower, decline over subsequent weeks (P<.001). Each session completed was associated with significant decreases in anxiety (b=–0.72) and depression (b=–0.83) in the early phase, as well as in the late phase (anxiety, b=–0.47; depression, b=–0.27). Significant decreases in anxiety (b=–0.15) and depression (b=–0.12) were observed for time spent on video lessons (measured in 10-minute intervals) in the early phase of treatment. Engaging with exercises was associated with statistically significant increases in anxiety symptoms (b=0.03) during the early phase of treatment. However, sensitivity analyses examining the effects of exercises in isolation revealed significant decreases in anxiety (b=–0.05) in the early phase, suggesting a potential suppression effect in the larger model. Conclusions Using a retrospective cohort design, therapy sessions and digital video lessons were uniquely predictive of improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, and their effects were modulated based on the phase of treatment (early vs late). Future research should investigate whether other treatment variables, such as therapeutic alliance or familiarity with technology, are related to differential effects on various components of care.

Predictive Group Learning Behavior Approach and Inquiry Learning For Higher Education

Group work can inspire students, encourage constructive learning, and improve essential critical thinking, communication, and decision-making in the present competitive world. The risk factors in group learning include students who prefer working alone and strongly despise dealing with things created by gathering in teams. Online learners often have problems locating lasting peace times for group therapy sessions are considered an essential factor. A predictive Group Learning Behavior Approach (PGLBA) has been proposed. Students who commute to college agree to group conferences and workgroup learning and Inquiry learning for higher education. The grounded Inquiry Learning Approach is invented to strengthen students’ enjoyment of active group learning, and the students find times for group meetings that are often mutually advantageous. The simulation analysis is performed based on performance, accuracy, and efficiency proves the proposed framework’s reliability. The experimental results show that the proposed PGLBA-IL model enhances the accuracy ratio of 81.2%, an efficiency ratio of the number of students 86.4%, and the overall performance analysis ratio of 85.1% compared to others existing approaches.

Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients

Different welfare indicators were studied in three patients with psychomotor alterations and in two horses throughout 9–10 equine assisted therapy sessions in each patient. In horses, heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, temperature and behavioral signs were studied. In patients, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, sleep quality, psychomotor and emotional parameters were analyzed. Data collection was recorded in the anticipatory phase (15 min before the start of the session), two interaction phases (after 30 min of horse-patient interaction on the ground and on horseback, respectively) and the recovery phase (15 min after the end of the session). During the anticipatory phase, most of physiological parameters of patients and horses and the stress behavioral signs of horses increased, followed by a relaxing phase during the horse-patient interaction on the ground. In horse-patient riding phase the heart and respiratory rates of the horses again increased. These results showed that the horses did not seem to suffer stress attributable to the therapy sessions, but only an increase in their parameters associated with activity and external stimuli. The patients improved their gross and fine motor skills, their cognitive and perceptual-sensitive parameters and it led to an improvement in the life quality of their families.