Hi everyone! For my project, I'll explain my goals:
I hope that my research will show the benefits of music therapy on people with different disabilities and disorders. Over time I want to be able to see how this type of therapy can affect the overall moods and behaviors of the clients. I plan to research and answer: Which instruments have more effects on the clients? Does how much each person participate affect their progress? Do different sounds and loudness factor into the progress? Does the age of the client change their effort?
I will be observing people at the Music Therapy clinic at ASU. Over the course of my project, I will record the progress of the people I observe without revealing any of their personal information.
Why I'm interested in this topic:
While I don't participate in music therapy itself, music has been an influence over my mood for years. I've played the piano for about 13 years, and I know how if you get into the zone, it can really affect your mood. I'm already interested in psychology, so I want to look into the psychological aspects of the therapy as well. I want to study psychology in college, and doing this project will give me access to other perspectives.
Prior Research:
Music therapy is a technique to accomplish individual goals through musical interactions. People become professionals in this by completing approved music therapy programs. This type of therapy helps people of all ages with multiple types of disabilities or disorders. It helps people with physical, social, and emotional problems and needs. The clients can create, sing, and listen to music based on their personal needs. Music therapy also helps with comunication skills when people have difficulties expressing themselves.
Drumming is another beneficial music therapy technique. When people play the drums, they have an increase in cell activity, which is important for fighting neuroendocrine and immunological disorders. Music therapy can also be for people who are just looking to explore themselves. Drumming specifically can help with anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and connectedness. It can also help with breathing skills. Sometimes people lose the ability to speak, but are still able to sing and use music therapy skills to their benefits.
There are also correlations between reduced depression in adolescence and the uses of music therapy. This form of therapy can help people who go through traumatic events, and can help reduce anxiety. Women that had gone through domestic violence showed decreased signs of anxiety after their music therapy, and were also able to sleep better. Music therapy helps improve people personally and can help channel anger and aggression through learned techniques.
This is a really cool project! I'm especially interested in hearing about which instrument has the greatest effect.
ReplyDeleteHow do you plan on observing their progress? Are you going to give them surveys or interview them or something like that?
Thank you! So there are 2 different ways I'll be observing the clients. One is actually sitting with them and helping with the session. The other is sitting in a room next to the session, which has a camera so I can watch and hear what is going on. Because most of the clients are younger (and because I can't interact with all of them) I won't be able to survey them. But it is fairly easy to watch their moods change over the session. On Monday I sat in with a group of preschoolers, and I could tell that their moods and participation changed over the session. So far I'll just be judging their progress by eye and ear, but if I find that it's not working I may figure out another way to report my data. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteIn regards to the Alzheimer's patients, what level of Alzheimer's did they exhibit? Severe Alzheimer's? Early on-set Alzheimer's? I'm curious to know if music therapy would be beneficial for those suffering from simple memory loss or pre-Alzheimer's. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteHonestly I wasn't sure how to answer your question right away, so I waited until I saw them again to reply. Most of them seem to be really aware of what is going on and are generally happy during the session. They even remember what we did the previous week. They also want to sing their favorite songs each week. While I can't tell their exact diagnosis, only a couple of them were more confused than the others. Music therapy is beneficial to everyone, so I think even over just the hour, whether they have simple memory loss or pre-Alzheimer's, it is beneficial because they all leave in a very happy mood. Hope this helps!
DeleteAmazing work! This is a totally under-utilized environment for everything from relaxation to stimulation. I can't wait to hear about your observations and impressions.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, with grandmother's Alzheimer's care, music was only used at certain times or events. But, with her generation -- pre-television -- music and the radio was an important part of life. I think it could have been way more useful, and more familiar for her.
The people who come to this session go to other types of therapy together, like art therapy. Any type of stimulation seems to be really beneficial! But music therapy and sound are definitely very useful. Thank you!
DeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteAny plans to look at how music therapy can also work in a negative direction? Stories about torture techniques often report how sounds and music can contribute to the interrogation process.
Hi Mr. Smith! That's interesting and something I hadn't previously considered. I don't think I'm going to focus on the negative aspects, because I do want to see how it positively affects the clients in general. But if I do see a negative correlation, I will definitely go into more depth about why! Thanks for that new perspective!
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