• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to develop Music Recall Technique for affect modification using programmed series of classical music, and further to apply the technique as therapeutic intervention for clients with anorexia nervosa. Music Recall Technique is composed of two sub-technique: first one is 'Music Recall(MR)' which is the way to reproduce of existing music on one's head and mind after listening to the music, and second intervention is 'Creative Music Recall(CMR)' which is the way to modify the exposed musical pieces or newly learned musical pieces. A client with anorexia nervosa with severe anxiety, anger and depression participated in this case study. The MRT is implemented in different stages pertaining to client's level of utilizing the music recall skill for the period of 10 sessions. Situations eliciting negative emotions were identified and music recalling was reinforced for the pertaining situation in order for the negative emotion to be coped and reduced by the end of session time. The client participated for 10 sessions, and was asked to fill out self-report on the affect change using MRT. Visual Analogue Scale was used for pre and post test for each session to measure the self perceived level of negative affect. State-trait anxiety inventory was also used to measure the anxiety level following the implementation of MRT. As results, negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger and depression were modified during stimulative-sedative music recall process. These negative emotions were decreased mostly during stimulative MR, especially, in the beginning process. Each negative affect on negative situation measured by VAS during each and entire session have been decreased. Negative emotion measured by state-trait anxiety inventory, state-trait anger expression inventory, and hopelessness-depression inventory were decreased as well. The results suggest that stimulative music using contemporary classic music was effective in reduction and modification of negative affect such as anxiety, anger and depression. It shows that Music Recall Technique can be a meaningful intervention for affect modification, and further it can be utilized as self-help in the outside of music therapy setting.