• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.21-46
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to discover how therapeutic music making affects the way of communications in single-parent families. To do this, the study conducted a therapeutic music making program in two families consisting of a mother and a child. Songwriting, Ostinato-creating, improvisation imitation, and ensemble were used as musical interventions. The results of this study are following. First, the participant group B improved from 59 to 69.5 point after the program. However, the group A decreased from 81 to 75.5 point mainly due to frequent absences, differences in applying music. Second, the analysis of the results of verbal, nonverbal and musical responses from the program suggests that the group B gradually improved functional communications as each session develops. For the case of group A, at the initial stage, dysfunctional communications in verbal and nonverbal ones could be found. After the eighth session however, functional communications had increased. The result of the study shows that overall therapeutic music making has been an effective musical intervention in improving communication in single-parent families.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.37-60
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to systematically review music intervention studies for patients with schizophrenia. The researcher searched nine electronic databases for clinical trials published since 2000, using combinations of keyword related to schizophrenia and music interventions. The initial search identified 272 studies, and fifteen studies were selected by reviewing the titles, abstracts and full articles, In addition, three articles were added by examining other review articles. Thus, a total of 18 articles were analyzed in terms of their general and intervention characteristics, and the PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. The results demonstrated that, due to the lack of randomization and blinding, the methodological qualities of the studies with high quality music interventions were often rated low. Eight Music interventions conducted by qualified music therapists included active music-making, therapeutic relationship, and supervision systems for improving intervention quality. In conclusion, the randomization, blinding, and the therapeutic rationale of intervention are recommended in future clinical trials for patients with schizophrenia.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.43-67
• /
• 2022

This is a case study of therapeutic song making activities aimed at improving the self-identity of adolescents in residential treatment facility. The participants were three male teenagers (16 to 18 years of age). The song making intervention was conducted individually with the participants once a week over 13 weeks, and each session lasted 60 minutes. The participants took the lead in making songs by discussing on the self-image and his/her role in the relationship and using musical elements to reflect his/her perception. For analysis, an evaluation method was used to analyze the pre- and post-test results for each sub-domain of the self-identity scale, and changes in the verbal and musical responses during each session. Two of the participants demonstrated higher post-test results compared to their pre-test performance, and their highest post-test scores were for the subdomains of intimacy and initiative respectively. In terms of verbal and musical responses per session, all three participants improved their subjectivity through the self-exploration process, which contributed to the establishment of a more positive self-image. This study suggests that facility youth engaging in making creative songs can positively change their perception of their present and future selves and have a positive effect on their sense of identity.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.15-31
• /
• 2005

Terminal pediatric patient include congenital metabolic abnormalities, chromosome aberrations, congenital anomalies, neuromuscular diseases and other incurable conditions as well as malignant tumors. One third of these diseases are cancers, and two thirds of cancers are lymphadenoma and leukemia. Terminal pediatric patient may feel fear, anger and frustration against treatment process in hospitals, lose control of themselves and stay in helplessness due to restrictions within controlled hospital environment. This study examined the relationship between hospitalized childrens behavior and music using Contextual Support Model of Music Therapya theory stating therapeutic music environments possess three elements of Structure, Autonomy support and Involvement, and increase childrens active engagement. Focused on these three therapeutic elements, this study analyzed music therapy cases of terminally ill children to examine the relationship between childrens behavior and music as environmental supportive medium in the environment. This study is on a single case case subject, a 10-year-old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Nine sessions of music therapy activities were conducted and analyzed using qualitative method. Focusing on three therapeutic elements of Contextual Support Model, analysis of sessions was made on the basis of activities specifically designed for this study. Main music therapy activities included singing while playing musical instruments, singing while listening to music through CD player, making up songs, and searching for song lines. The findings of this study are as follows: a) in terms of Structure, music therapy suggested a direction for effective musical activities for terminally ill children by providing environments where child can sing, play musical instruments and make up songs; b) in terms of Autonomy support, music therapy encouraged childs voluntary participation by giving her chances to make choice while singing or playing musical instruments; c) in terms of Involvement, child could gain positive approval of the therapist and conduct musical activities in cooperation with the therapist. Music therapy serves as supportive medium in the environment, develops spontaneity and self-reliance in emotionally depressed children, and promotes voluntary attitudes in the restricted hospital environment. Based on the positive effects of music therapy, more studies need to be conducted with an approach to more various terminal pediatric patients.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.45-66
• /
• 2021

This study aimed to develop a group rap making program and examine its applicability to improve communication skills of adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities (ID). Three adolescents with ID participated in a total of six 50-minute group sessions over 4 weeks. The group rap making program included three stages: understanding the context of communication, learning how to communicate with others, and applying the communicative behaviors in a group setting. To examine changes in the participants' communication skills, the rap lyrics constructed by participants were analyzed and communicative behaviors were observed during sessions and analyzed in terms of asking questions and providing information to others. Also, a social communication skills checklist was rated by the participant's caregivers. The analysis of rap lyrics showed that the expressions included in the rap were diversified as the session proceeded. Changes in observed behaviors supported that participants became to engage in communication with others more actively in order to complete the group rap. While the social communication skills checklist tended to increase, there was a difference in degree of change depending on the level of language communication skills. These results indicate that a group rap making can be an effective option for these adolescents to learn how to communicate with their peers, which presents implications for how rap making can be used for therapeutic purpose with more diversified population.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-23
• /
• 2013

Upper extremity dysfunction is a common consequence following stroke. Spontaneous recovery during the first six months post-stroke is rigorous and considered as a significant indicator of potential long-term progress. Various approaches have been utilized to regain functional upper limb movement necessary for independent living; however, conventional therapy approaches have failed to prove consistency, especially for subacute stroke patients. There is, thus, a need for innovative therapeutic strategies that motivate stroke survivors to facilitate neural and functional recovery during the critical window immediately following stroke. The effect of music on physical enhancement has been frequently reported in the field of medicine as well as neurorehabilitation. The efficacy of rhythm on lower extremity deficits has been well established. Yet, the rationale for using instrumental music making enhancing subacute upper extremities rehabilitation is not clearly described to date. Based on the key mechanism of music as sensori-motor movement facilitator, this paper reviews previous empirical research that utilized music-based interventions for upper extremity rehabilitation for stroke patients, either in the form of receptive or expressive activity. This paper, further, focuses on the current research trends in subacute stroke upper limb rehabilitation and provides applicable rationale of using instrumental music playing.