Melbourne Conservatorium of Music - Research Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 7 of 7
-
ItemA theoretical framework and therapeutic songwriting protocol to promote integration of self-concept in people with acquired neurological injuries(The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, 2016)A positive self-concept after neurological injury is associated with enhanced quality of life and good mental health. Therefore, effective reconstruction of identity is heralded as an important goal of rehabilitation. We have developed and tested a songwriting protocol for people with acquired brain injury and/or spinal cord injury (SCI) that focuses on six domains of self-concept (physical, personal, social, family, academic/work, and moral). Over 12 music therapy sessions, people create three songs that reflect their perception of their past, present, and future selves. The therapeutic process of creating these songs aims to integrate residual components of the past self with that of the present injured self. This article outlines the theoretical foundations for the use of songwriting as a medium for change and describes the protocol in detail. We then present a case study of a man with SCI to illustrate the application of the protocol and the ensuing changes in self-concept.
-
ItemMusic Therapy and the NDIS: Understanding music therapy as a reasonable and necessary support service for people with disability(Australian Music Therapy Association, 2016)This document results from the findings of a small scoping study conducted to develop a better understanding of the needs, perspectives, and goals of all stakeholders in the provision of music-based services within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Interviews were conducted with 10 consenting participants (Registered Music Therapists, NDIS Plan Support Coordinators and a Parent of a Participant of the Scheme) with the content of these interviews forming the data used for analysis. With the study strongly highlighting a lack of community and sector understanding of music therapy, this document looks to stimulate discussion and solutions to broadening knowledge of the profession, particularly in relation to its existing implementation and future potential for people with disability under the NDIS, and as such is prepared on behalf of the Australian Music Therapy Association Inc. It is intended as a document of reference for the NDIA, Registered Music Therapists, Participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, their parents, carers and support workers.
-
ItemMusic therapy research in dementia: fostering a global approach(GRIEG ACADEMY, 2016)
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableHow Music Can Influence the Body: Perspectives From Current Research(Universtity of Bergen Library, 2016-04-04)Music is widely used by people of all ages as a stimulant and relaxant to manage everyday situations. Whether to motivate us for exercise or to help us unwind after a busy day, we seem to have an intuitive understanding about the influences music has on our bodies. The body’s responses to music are both conscious and unconscious, involving entrainment with rhythm, hormonal and neurological reactions, and changes in mood, emotion, and pain perception. This article explains these physiological responses to music and provides guidelines for consideration when selecting music to evoke desired bodily responses. Applications using music in rehabilitation are also provided to illustrate health-promoting qualities of music.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableMusic-assisted relaxation during transition to non-invasive ventilation in people with motor neuron disease: A qualitative case series(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2016-11)For individuals with motor neuron disease, the transition to using non-invasive ventilation has a number of associated stressors, which can negatively impact adherence to ventilation and its benefits to quality of life. Music listening interventions have been linked with a reduction in anxiety and physiological stress responses in mechanically ventilated patients. This article presents four case studies from a feasibility study that investigated the experience and effect of a music-assisted relaxation intervention on anxiety, quality of life, and non-invasive ventilation use during the first 3 months of using non-invasive ventilation. The experiences of these four participants demonstrated how music-assisted relaxation served to distract from non-invasive ventilation and promote relaxation, indicating that for some, music-assisted relaxation could be a useful strategy to optimize their non-invasive ventilation experience. Early music therapy intervention in motor neuron disease progression could be beneficial to address obstacles faced by one participant in using music-assisted relaxation.
-
ItemFlow and meaningfulness as mechanisms of change in self-concept and well-being following a songwriting intervention for people in the early phase of neurorehabilitation(Frontiers Media, 2015-05-26)Anecdotal evidence suggests that songwriting assists people with spinal cord injury (SCI) or acquired brain injury (ABI) to explore threats to self-concept, yet studies that explore the mechanisms of change have not been reported. In a pilot study, we explored the correlations between changes in self-concept and well-being, with mechanisms of flow and meaningfulness of songwriting. Five people with ABI (all male) and 5 SCI (4 males, 1 female) (mean age 38.90 years, SD = 13.21), with an average 3 months post-injury, participated in a 12-session songwriting program that targeted examination of self-concept. Measures of self-concept, depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, affect, satisfaction with life, and flourishing were collected pre-, mid-, and post-intervention, and compared with repeated measures of flow and meaningfulness of songwriting. Medium effects were found for changes in self-concept (d = 0.557) and depression (d = 0.682) and approached a medium effect for negative affect (d = 0.491). Improvements in self-concept over time were associated with decreases in depression (rp = −0.874, n = 9, p < 0.01), anxiety (rp = −0.866, n = 9, p < 0.01), and negative affect (rp = −0.694, n = 10, p < 0.05), and an increase in flourishing (rp = +0.866, n = 9, p < 0.01) and positive affect (rp = + 0.731, n = 10, p < 0.05). Strong experiences of flow were not positively correlated with positive changes to self-concept and well-being, whereas deriving high levels of meaning were associated with increased negative affect (rp = +0.68 p < 0.05), increased anxiety (rp = +0.74, p < 0.05), and reduced emotional suppression (rp = −0.58, p < 0.05). These findings show that the targeted songwriting intervention appears to be positively associated with enhanced well-being outcomes. However, the findings also suggest that people who find the songwriting process has strong meaning for them might be more likely to start accepting their emotions and as a result experience an increase in anxiety and depression, although full, mediated regression analyses with larger sample sizes are required to explore this further. Acknowledging their changed circumstances may nonetheless assist people with SCI and ABI to grieve their losses and facilitate the building of a healthy post-injured self-concept. We propose that there may be other mechanisms more critical in facilitating the positive changes in self-concept and well-being than flow and meaning, such as the role of story-telling and the impact of music in facilitating the consolidation of self-concept explorations in memory.
-
ItemMusic therapy for adults with traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders(Guilford Publications, 2015-01-12)Rich with case material, this groundbreaking volume provides a comprehensive overview of music therapy, from basic concepts to emerging clinical approaches.